We all live in a variety of cultures – in our families, in our communities, in our companies and in all the groups where we belong. Many of us ponder these cultures and analyze them, and a lot of folks are focused on “improving” cultures or at least understanding how to thrive within them. However, it had always seemed to me that these cultures were independent of each other – there was little that caused them to blend and synergize.
Recently, I met a fascinating individual as a candidate on one of my search projects who shared an idea that is transforming my perspective on the subject of culture. This highly positive and energetic woman has a big spirit that is unmistakable. I meet all kinds of people – this “lit up” individual is among the most intriguing people I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know in this interview setting.
An idea she shared with me was that she sees herself as living in a culture of her own – a culture made up of her relationships in all the parts of her life. This idea immediately inspired me – I had never before envisioned that each of us has such a culture of our own (maybe this is intuitive to you – forgive me if I’m just slow!)
With this idea as a linking tool, I find myself with a whole new way of thinking about cultures. Imagine that individual “cultures” that surrounds each of us are naturally overlapping with each other; this immediately enables envisioning the entire world as a cool and complicated network of interrelationships. Through this lens, the company or group macro-cultures where we exist are not really independent at all.
We are not alone. I love to think that we are each part of many worlds and many cultures. The coolest part is that we have the opportunity for our own individual culture to be a positive difference maker to influence each of the larger cultures where we belong.
Here’s to each of us using this power to its fullest extent!
Thanks for sharing time with me; as always, I welcome your feedback. Please feel free to pass this message along to others who may find value.
Sincerely,
Jeff Black
Partner, McDermott & Bull Executive Search
Mobile: (714) 356-1949 Office: (949) 529-2672
2 Venture, Suite 100, Irvine, CA 92618
Video on Talent FIT (2 min.) | Jeff’s Blog | McDermott & Bull | Black@mbsearch.com |
I believe creating relationships that truly fit makes a big difference in the world