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Cooke found that the organizational cultures can be split into 3 categories or subcultures. 1. Constructive Cluster 2. The Passive/Defensive Cluster 3. The Aggressive/Defensive Cluster
Constructive Cluster
editConstructive Cultures are where people are encouraged to be in communication with their co-workers, and work as teams, rather than only as individuals. In positions where people do a complex job, rather than something simple like a mechanic one, this sort of culture is an efficient one.
1. Achievement: completing a task(s) successfully, typically by effort, courage, or skill (pursue a standard of excellence) (explore alternatives before acting) -Based on the need to attain high-quality results on challenging projects, the belief that outcomes are linked to one's effort rather than chance and the tendency to personally set challenging yet realistic goals. People high in this style think ahead and plan, explore alternatives before acting and learn from their mistakes.
2. Self-Actualizing: realization or fulfillment of one's talents and potentialities - considered as a drive or need present in everyone (think in unique and independent ways) (do even simple tasks well) -Based on needs for personal growth, self-fulfillment and the realisation of one's potential. People with this style demonstrate a strong desire to learn and experience things, creative yet realistic thinking and a balanced concern for people and tasks.
3. Humanistic-Encouraging: help others to grow and develop (resolve conflicts constructively) -Reflects an interest in the growth and development of people, a high positive regard for them and sensitivity to their needs. People high in this style devote energy to coaching and counselling others, are thoughtful and considerate and provide people with support and encouragement.
4. Affiliative: treat people as more valuable than things (cooperate with others)
-Reflects an interest in developing and sustaining pleasant relationships. People high in this
style share their thoughts and feelings, are friendly and cooperative and make others feel a part of things.
The Passive/Defensive Cluster
editThe Passive/Defense cluster involves members of an organization to approach tasks in a more fearful and tentative way. Their goal is to protect their status and security. The four Passive/Defensive cultural norms are:
· Approval · Conventional · Dependent · Avoidance
1. Approval: This style reflects workers who try hard to be accepted. They view themselves are worthless if not approved by their peers. People who follow this norm try hard to make good impressions, be obedient, and please others.
2. Conventional: This style reflects workers who try not to draw attention to themselves. People want to blend in and not cause attention to themselves. If this norm is followed, workers stick to their status-quo and maintain their own routines and procedures. They do not like to veer off the beaten path.
3. Dependent: This style reflects workers who feel like they need protecting. They tend to seek others to make decisions for them and are willing to obey orders. Workers following this morn believe they have little control over events.
4.Avoidance: In this style workers tend to be very apprehensive. They draw from threatening situations fast and play it safe often. People in this style ten d to be introverted and shy away from group interaction or conversation. Workers following this norm tend to be indecisive.
Security is the largest motivator for following this norm. Those who feel threaten or fearful tend to fit into this cluster.
The Aggressive/Defensive Cluster
editThis style in characterized with more emphasis on task then people. Due to the very nature of this style, people tend to focus on their own individual needs at the expense of the success of the group. The aggressive/defensive style is very stressful and people using this style tend to make decisions based on status as opposed to expertise.
1. Oppositional- This cultural norm is based on the idea that a need for security that takes the form of being very critical and cynical at times. People who use this style are more likely to question others work, however asking those tough question often leads to a better product. However, those you use this style tend to be over critical and point of others small flaws and use it as a mechanism to put others down.
2. Power-This cultural norm is based on the idea that there is a need for prestige and influence. Those who use this style often equate their own self-worth with controlling others. Those who use this style have a tendency to dictate others opposing to guiding others’ actions.
3. Competitive- This cultural norm is based on the idea of a need to protect one’s status. Those who use this style protect their own status by comparing themselves to other individuals and outperforming them. Those who use this style are seekers of appraisal and recognition from others.
4. Perfectionistic-This cultural norm is based on the need to attain flawless results. Those who often use this style equate their self-worth with the attainment of extremely high standards. Those who often use this style are always focused on details and place excessive demands on themselves and others.