Communication: Transforming Organizational Culture
Teamwork is essential to productivity and accomplishment in the workplace, yet the environment in which some people work – the pervasive attitudes we define as corporate culture – can restrict group performance by discouraging the candid exchange of ideas and opinions. Without communication that is authentic and focused on the real concerns of the organization, there is no possibility for teamwork.
In this workshop, participants examine the barriers to communication and teamwork and learn how to overcome them. They discover the relationship between culture and performance – what is possible may actually be limited by the attitudes inherent in the organization’s culture. They see how each individual can benefit personally from a commitment to group accomplishment. Finally, they begin to build the trust that they can work and be successful together. When the group alters its view of itself as a team, a new horizon for action emerges.
In the Communication: Transforming Organizational Culture workshop, Mark Kamin & Associates focuses on how to redesign a corporate culture that fosters teamwork. The relationship between communication, personal interaction and the organizational culture is explored.
Participants describe what it is like working together in their organization. The techniques we use allow them to safely say what needs to be said. From this discussion, the major issues blocking communication and teamwork are revealed. These issues include personality conflicts, political infighting, departmental strife, stress related to budgets, takeovers, management changes, rapid expansion and growth.
We explore the relationship between culture and conversation in a manner that helps participants with recognizing counterproductive ways of being, speaking and listening, and demonstrate communication methods that enhance performance. Some counterproductive ways of being and listening include not saying what one has to say, gossiping, listening for what’s wrong instead of for what’s right, and/or being complacent or resigned.
Participants also engage in exercises that look at what it would take to operate with more integrity and responsibility. We distinguish the power of taking a stand and having one’s word be honorable.
The last part of the workshop is designed to build trust. Participants focus on the strengths of each team member, and are trained to speak and listen in ways that produce action. The group is then positioned to take on specific projects that impact performance.
