Throughout human history, people have developed strong loyalties to traditions, rituals, and symbols. In the most effective organizations, they are not only respected but celebrated. It is no coincidence that the most highly admired corporations are also among the most profitable.
Interpretation
Traditions and symbols foster loyalty and success within organizations.
This quote highlights the importance of traditions, rituals, and symbols in organizations, suggesting that those who honor and celebrate these aspects create a strong sense of loyalty among members. Moreover, it emphasizes that organizations that effectively leverage these cultural elements tend to achieve higher levels of admiration and profitability, indicating a correlation between a positive organizational culture and successful outcomes.
In practice
In a business presentation discussing the importance of organizational culture.
Tribalism reflects strong ethnic or cultural identities that separate members of one group from another, making them loyal to people like them and suspicious of outsiders, which undermines efforts to forge common cause across groups.
Organizational structures that allow divisions and departments to own their turf and people with long tenure to take root creates the same hardened group distinctions as Congressional redistricting to produce homogeneous voting blocs - all of which makes it easier to resist compromise, let alone collaboration.
The way innovating companies are designed leaves ambiguities, overlaps, decision conflicts or decision vacuums in some parts of the organisation. People rail at this, curse it-and invent innovative ways to overcome it.
The boomers' biggest impact will be on eliminating the term 'retirement' and inventing a new stage of life... the new career arc.
The middle of every successful project looks like a disaster.
I've found that small wins, small projects, small differences often make huge differences.
Leaders are those who empower others.
A president who aspires to be recognized as a global leader should not personally stake out a foreign-policy goal, commit himself eloquently to its attainment, and then yield the ground when confronted by firm opposition.
Teamwork does not come naturally. Let's face it. We are born with certain inclinations, but sharing isn't one of them.
Giving people self-confidence is by far the most important thing that I can do. Because then they will act.
I go to assume a task more difficult than that which devolved upon Washington. Unless the great God, who assisted him, shall be with me and aid me, I must fail; but if the same omniscient mind and almighty arm that directed and protected him shall guide and support me, I shall not fail - I shall succeed.
I just think you ought to talk straight with your people.
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