When asked to create a framework for my educational philosophy for writing, I've diverted to my instinct of proposing an organizational change. As a consultant, I'm tasked with persuading executives to commit to and implement strategic initiatives. Here I have presented the problem, solution, benefits and methods for applying a writing-based curriculum within business acumen training.
Problem:
I collaborate with engineers to write documents that control technical processes. Having worked in the middle-east for nearly a decade, my experience has been extremely multi-cultural. I often find myself leading committees with representatives from numerous countries and various roles. Standardization can be derailed by the most simple linguistic contradictions. I've found the 'convenient' version of globalization features local offices following policy set by the global headquarters. In matters of quality, health, safety, and environment, this is certainly a best practice because developing markets often carry underdeveloped procedures. As mentioned above; it's often my responsibility enforce this nuclear paradigm in a foreign setting. However, it's not within my authority to change what substance organizations relay to their stakeholders. Alternatively, I submit that we adjust how we communicate our objectives across cultural boundaries in order to ensure sustainability. My solution includes identifying cultural dimensions and establishing cultural manifestations aligned with corporate strategy.
Solution:
Admittedly, my solution is a work in progress because I've recently been introduced to Dr. Geert Hofstede's "Cultural Dimensions" concept and associated publications. I've embedded links summarizing his writing on Culture and Organizations, Mapped Cultural Dimensions and his philosophy on Culture in Business Education. Hofstede defines Culture as; "a collective programming of the mind distinguishing the members of one group or category of people from another."
Being a social psychologist and behavioral scientist, Hofstede also describes culture as an onion that contains layers which reveal behavioral content. His 'manifestations of culture' are the prevailing concept that has helped me formulate my instructional maneuvers. I propose that international organizations promote consistent values and practices across cultural boundaries, but remain flexible in advocating rituals, heroes, and symbols. The culture onion serendipitously reflects the road map to sustainability I aimed to produce in my pursuit of a Ph.D. The skeleton below represents the body of my research proposal.
Values - These terms represent my purpose.
- Sustainability
- Alignment
- Well-being
Rituals - These terms represent the educational exercises meant to cultivate the values above.
Cultural Leadership Workshop
- Written Assignments
- Project/Committee Charter
- Project Status Update
- Policy/Project Scope
- Motivational Speech
- Group Activities
- Value Role-Play
- Hero Selection
- Symbol Selection
- Historical Literature Review
- Business Icon Modeling
- Multi-Media Presentation
- Blogging
Heroes - These quotes represent figures/ideas which embody the values above.
"The art of communication is the language of leadership." - James Humes
"Storytellers, by the very act of telling, communicate a radical learning that changes lives and the world." - Chris Cavanaugh
“It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop.” – Confucius
“It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
“If it be now, ‘tis not to come; if it be not to come, it will be now; if it be not now, yet it will come: the readiness is all.” - William Shakespeare
“Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out.” – John R. Wooden
“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” – Thomas Edison
“The really great make you feel that you too, can become great.” – Mark Twain
“You write in order to change the world, knowing perfectly well that you probably can't, but also knowing that literature is indispensable to the world... The world changes according to the way people see it, and if you alter, even but a millimeter the way people look at reality, then you can change it.” - James Baldwin
"Truth on this side of the Pyrenees is error on the other side" - Blaise Pascal
Symbols - These images/metaphors illustrate the values above
The Circle of Sustainability is a method developed by the United Nations for assessing sustainable development. As shown below; these domains follow the four-bottom-line model of sustainability. Each country is assigned a score from 'vibrant' to 'critical' based on sustainable project development. This image would represent the local culture as well as provide information for foreign stakeholders.
The puzzle metaphor represents the dynamic state in which organizations are able to use their resources to effectively to achieve common objectives. This metaphor would be applied globally throughout an organization implementing the business communication initiative.
Some Asian cultures revere the lotus flower as representing the purity of the body, speech, and mind as it floats above muddy waters. Hindus suggest the unfolding petals represent soul expansion and beauty in growth. This is an example of an image or metaphor which could be adopted by an organization based on geographic location.
Practices - These elements typically make up global systems of standardized process controls.
- Leadership Involvement & Responsibility
- Identification & Compliance with Legislation & Industry Standards*
- Employee Selection, Placement & Competency Assurance
- Workforce Involvement
- Communication with Stakeholders
- Identification & Assessment of potential failures & other hazards*
- Documentation, Records & Knowledge Management
- Documented Procedures
- Project Monitoring, Status and Handover
- Management of Interfaces
- Standards & Practices
- Management of Change & Project Management*
- Operational Readiness & Start-up
- Emergency Preparedness*
- Inspection & Maintenance of facilities
- Management of Critical systems
- Work Control, Permit to Work & Task Risk Management*
- Contractor/Vendor Selection & Management
- Incident Reporting & Investigation*
- Audit, Assurance and Management System review & Intervention*
*I'm most familiar with these content areas.
Benefits -
- Continuous Improvement
- Efficient Communication
- Community Engagement
What's Next? -
Now that I've laid the framework of my philosophy I will attempt to expand each of the subheadings above. First, I plan to review research that may connect the values presented to the assumed benefits. Next, I will design the ritual exercises which will serve as workshop activities when introducing this curriculum. The heroes and symbols listed above are also examples which could be promoted or removed depending on the local feedback. Again, research is required to confirm that the concepts align with values. Then, I will construct a complete philosophy statement that will include proper citations, supporting data and a succinct action plan for implementation. Finally, I will propose a research project which will apply this philosophy to one sphere of the practices listed above. The goal will be to advocate the principles above by facilitating workforce training, providing support and collecting feedback. I'm considering addressing project management, risk management, or a combination of both disciplines.
