Organizations are more than systems



With many theories and corporate programs, many executives view an organization as a simple group of systems. However, organizations are nothing without the people within them. In order to be a greater leader, one needs to understand the environment, culture and people within in them.

Understanding the environment takes listening and observing. The environment is more than the physical attributes. It is the stimuli that people use to interact with each other. Listening allows one to gain an understanding of the positives and problems of the workplace. Observing allows one to see the organization more objectively.

The culture of the organization may assist a leader in successfully navigating the company and completing task needed to move the company forward. Many times, individuals try to follow the strict rules of the company to complete tasks, but run up against multiple walls. This happens not because the rules and guidelines are flawed, but the culture of the organization is such that it has it owns unspoken guidelines for completing tasks

More so, respecting and interacting with the individuals within organizations will serve as greater tools within leadership development. Dealing with people only because of title, age and experience will function as a hindrance to job production. Furthermore, it must be a high level of respect for individuality and job personality. Many times others try to force someone to perform duties in a specific style which may be opposite of the person’s natural ability. It is essential that individuals have a moderate level of autonomy when completing some tasks. Also, interactions with various individuals within the organization are required for everyone to understand the processes of the organization from top to bottom.

In conclusion, leadership is more than positions and experience. More so, the organizations that leaders operate in are more than a system, but the people within them.  Understanding the organization’s environment, culture and people within in a company may assist a leader in the further development of the company as a whole. 

~ Ronnie O'Brien Rice, PhD Candidate, 2013

Comments

  1. Rice, I most appreciate your modern views on leadership as they seem to embrace today's and tomorrow's leaders in a time when leadership is a difficult label to place upon any one person. Many of my peers are fearful of the idea of being or even becoming a leader and would rather stand among followers to avoid the undeniable responsibility. Your blog applies basic leadership concepts to the calculated abilities of young leaders of this generation. We have seen young people of today successfully turn an idea or concept into a profitable corporation, yet lack the ability to lead a team.

    Thank you for the insight!

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  2. I invite tou to stop my by blog: lovecelysedrew.blogspot.com and tell me what you think!

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  3. I believe what you say is true. Too many times corporations and the ppl that lead them tend to overlook the old saying, " you are only as strong as your weakest link." If more leaders would focus on incorporating the individuality and make themselves aware of who they are leading then they would become more effective leaders thereby having a more successful organization. A person is always more apt to improve their performance if they stand behind what they are doing. And what better way to have your followers, employees, etc do that than to make them feel involved or apart of something bigger then themselves. And what better way to do that than to listen then act, make listening a just as much a priority as acting.

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