3 tips for understanding your preferred working culture

Marvin Bower famously described culture as: “The way we do things around here.” What is the kind of culture in which you work best? Some people work well in certain places but not in others. So let’s explore the environment in which you thrive, rather than just survive.

* You can clarify the kind of culture in which you work best.

One person said: “I like working in a place that is professional but informal. The company must have a sense of direction, but also give people freedom to be creative. It’s also great to have a manager you respect.”

There are many elements that make up a culture. These include the philosophical, psychological and physical ways of doing things. You might feel attracted or repelled by a company’s approach to customers, colleagues or the way it does business. Management style is crucial. The bosses are the models - or ‘parents’ - and they set the tone. Some environments will enable you to feel at ease and yet excel - some will set your teeth on edge. Sometimes it simply comes down to the ‘feel’ of the place. Try tackling the exercise on this theme. Begin by describing the kind of culture where you work best. Be as specific as possible, because this might reveal some interesting details about the culture in which you thrive. Try completing the following sentence.

The kind of culture in which I work best is one where:

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* You can clarify the kind of culture in which you don’t work best.

“Physical space is important to me,” said one person, “and I reacted badly in one company. The desks were set out in ‘chicken rows’ - long straight lines with no personal space. The office designers maintained it was more ‘efficient’. It was efficient for the electricians laying the cables, but not for the people. Despite the new tech trimmings, it resembled an old style factory, with the bosses watching everybody. The office had an ethos of earnest frenzy - with little time for smiles - and the sickness rate soared.”

Try tackling the second part of the exercise. Describe the kind of culture in which you barely survive, rather than thrive. Try completing the following sentence – then move onto the final stage.

The kind of culture in which I don’t work best is one where:

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* You can take steps to work in your preferred culture.

“I know ‘what’ kind of organisation I prefer,” said one person, “but ‘how’ do I find this perfect place?” Several things are worth bearing in mind. First, the culture is set by the people - particularly the leaders - so choose to work with stimulating people. Second, there is never a ‘perfect’ culture, but you will enjoy working in some more than others. Be crystal-clear on what you can and can’t expect to get from the organisation. Third, cultures are fragile. An positive environment can change overnight if a different boss is appointed. Don’t expect the present culture to last forever. Finally, much depends on whether you aim to be a full-time employee or a freelancer. If the latter, you can enjoy rich experiences by dipping in and out of different places. Bearing these factors in mind, there are several things you can do to find your preferred culture.

- Clarify the qualities you want in the culture.

- Brainstorm the places where you have found some of these elements. (Some may have been within a sub-culture inside a larger organisation.) You may want to look for work in those places.

- Identify the people who embodied the values you found attractive. Where are they now? Track them down and offer your services to help them to succeed.

- Identify the people in your network who you admire. Ask them to suggest places that embody your preferred culture. See if it is possible to make a contribution to those organisations.

- Before accepting any job, do extensive research about the culture. Ask the people who work there - because they can tell you whether it actually does ‘what is on the tin’.

Try completing the following sentence.

The steps I can take to find and work in my preferred culture are:

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You will do your best work on a stimulating project, with stimulating people in a stimulating ‘place’. So keep putting yourself in an environment where you feel able to excel.