Workplace Culture
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Leading the 'informal organization'
A recent McKinsey article* by Jon Katzenbach and Zia Khan interested me as it highlights the power of what the authors called the 'informal organization' (what my clients know as their 'real culture') Their article highlights the fact that the formal and informal organization exists within every company, and that high performing companies find ways to leverage both.

What is not often recognised is that these 'different organizations' require different communication approaches...

What is not often recognised is that these 'different organizations' require different communication approaches, as formal communication will be less effective in the 'informal organization,' and informal communication will be less effective in the 'formal organization.'

I encourage leaders to think of formal communication (monthly reports, results...) as primarily being driven by a need to communicate, focussing on understanding what is going, and getting information to make a decision/move ahead. Informal communication is primarily driven by a want to communicate, focussing on learning/understanding more about why things are as they are and why employees are as they are. Yes the distinction is subtle but powerful, and mastering informal communication within an organization is critical to achieving and maintaining high performance.

Understanding and mastering informal communication gives the Leaders of the Business the capability of to also become, Chiefs of their Tribes and Leaders of their Culture. Essentially, when you are 'Chiefing your Tribe', you benefit from informal communication. This is informal conversations, gathering the 'why things are' and 'why you are you' information. When you are 'Leading/running the business' you benefit from the formal communication, gathering the 'what is going on' information. Both are important, and many of my clients are beginning to experience the benefits of informal communication by developing their leaders to be capable of Chiefing Their Tribes.

Contact me to find out more about how my Chiefing Your Tribe workshops/mentoring can help you have more Chiefs in your organization.

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*The article 'Leading Outside The Lines' is available in 'Field Notes' in the Get Tribal Community Click HERE to join. It's FREE
 

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