Culture Shock in the Workplace

Do you work at a company that has adapted to culture? Culture by definition means, “A distinctly human means of adapting to circumstances and transmitting this coping skill and knowledge to subsequent generations.” (Moran, Abramson, Moran, 2014) In other words, older generations will acclimate to the way new generations live, love, speak, and work.  It is difficult for someone to change their ways, especially when they have formed habits. There is a saying, ‘you can’t teach an old dog new tricks’ however, companies across the world are changing the way they view cultural changes, and are adapting to the differences.

Culture changes occur throughout history; defining biased opinions, and refining new norms. With that said, organizations have the opportunity to grow with cultural changes and challenges.  Organizations who embrace cultural change are increasing their value in the marketplace at the same time. “Cultural competing is a requirement.” (Moran, Abramson, Moran, 2014) Culture counts is important and it’s what moves a company to grow and expand while generations change. Donald Sull, writes in the Harvard Business Review explaining businesses need to continue to have inertia; the common cause for all things moving.  (Sull, 1999) “Active inertia is an organization’s tendency to follow established patterns of behavior—even in response to dramatic environmental shifts.” (Sull, 1999)

An example of cultural change in the community several hospitals in the Seattle area have been labeled as “leaders in respecting healthcare equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals.” (UW Medicine, 2013) Culture is identified in several different ways including, but not limited to fashion, communication, relationships, and the way people carry themselves. (Moran, Abramson, Moran, 2014) The hospitals who recognized the LGBT community have proven acceptance of cultural change; they have shown Confucianism, a way in which the organizations have taken responsibility for educating and understanding the acceptance for the LGBT community and allows older generations to learn and accept the cultural change and allow people who have biased opinions to see their local healthcare organizations are standing behind culture changes, and the new norms of the world.

It’s no surprise that people will not be comfortable with change. Cultures are changing all the time, and with cultural changes there must be education, and understanding. Businesses need to “maximize intercultural experiences, as well as increase professional development and organizational effectiveness” in order to grown and continue to establish a profitable growth. (Moran, Abramson, Moran, 2014)

References:

During Pride Week through Jul… – Valley Medical Center Office Photo. (n.d.). Retrieved January 18, 2018, from https://www.glassdoor.com/photos/Valley-Medical-Center-Office –Photos-IMG1292927.htm

Sull, D. (2014, July 31). Why Good Companies Go Bad. Retrieved January 18, 2018, from https://hbr.org/1999/07/why-good-companies-go-bad

UW Medicine. (2013, July 11). Valley Medical Called LGBT leader. Retrieved January 18, 2018, from http://www.valleymed.org/newsroom/articles/in-the-news/2013/valley-medical-called-lgbt-leader/

Moran, R.T., Abramson, N.R., & Moran, S.V. (2014). Managing Cultural Differences. Oxon: Routledge. Pgs. 5, 9, 11-16, 23, 25