Culture Is King

Abstract

Culture includes the visible elements of the organization, the espoused values and public statements, and the shared basic assumptions—values, norms, and archetypes. Differences between schools, between departments within schools, or between factions within a department can often be accounted for on the basis of values. A leader’s success will depend on the fit between his or her values and those of the school. Opposition can also occur when unspoken archetypes are in conflict. Whatever you want to accomplish—whether it’s negotiating for resources, mediating conflict, seeking compliance with a policy, or stimulating change—depends on affirming underlying values, norms, and archetypes or, when necessary, redefining them to meet new goals. Schemas are provided to help you define these differing values and archetypes.