Ducks in a Row: Traditions
by Miki SaxonThere is much talk of corporate culture these days, but you don’t often hear about corporate traditions, yet traditions are a part of culture.
The primary definition of ‘tradition’ is “the handing down of statements, beliefs, legends, customs, information, etc., from generation to generation, esp. by word of mouth or by practice,” which is pretty much the definition of culture.
But whereas culture looms large in people’s minds, traditions are more bite-sized—a special lunch, holiday treats, secret Santas—and lend themselves to more general input.
December is a month of traditions and I have questions about yours.
Who sets traditions for your team, department or company?
Are they generated spontaneously by the people or do they stem from the bosses at each level? Do they have current meaning or did they originate in the distant past? Are they set in stone, with little or no relevance to current employees or do people embrace, participate and enjoy them?
The best traditions are those that come from people at all levels and stay flexible, so they can grow and change as the people, culture, company and world grow and change.
This year take the initiative and start a tradition in your organization, a tradition that benefits/encourages/transcends and, most of all, brightens the future.
Flickr image credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zedbee/103147140/