Culture is defined by Gareth Morgan as being: "The set of the set of beliefs, values, and norms, together with symbols like dramatized events and personalities, that represents the unique character of an organization, and provides the context for action in it and by it."
The best way to consider team culture is to view it as being the core beliefs and binding behaviors that a group of people choose to confirm, affirm and act out. The worth of establishing team values is in the development of a team culture.
Here is what I am working on at the moment -
- Creating a set of values.
- Getting buy-in from the team.
- Establishing a team culture.
Interestingly in my team we are attempting to complete this exercise after the team has already been in place for a few years. So we already have a team culture in practice and now I would like to capture and define that culture on paper to enable the team to be clear on who, what and why we exist. I considered in the past attempting such an exercise and getting the team to work on such a task but the timing and team understanding the purpose of such an exercise did not exist.
However with change occuring in the wider organisational culture, a new member added to the team, as well as the internal restructure of a department or two - the time now seeems appropriate.
So how is team culture established?
- By what we do.
- By what we say.
- By how we do things.
Over time these three areas overlap and build on each other. Then persons both within and without of the team begin to see the way a team works together - and that is culture.
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