In chapter eight, the idea of organization ethics is introduced. This is a topic that is important, as most people are involved in an organization. With this concept, the idea of the "dwelling place" (141) is introduced. The dwelling place is an area where the good of the organization is protected. The book mentions that the dwelling place is not a neutral ground, and is skewed to what the good of the organization is. It needs to be a place where there is not an overwhelming amount of appreciation or criticism. It is about finding that balance and being able to promote that given good.
Looking at a real life organization, is a youth hockey organization. Here the good is obviously to have kids enjoy the game of hockey. With that good there are many things I encounter as the coach in this dwelling place located around the organization. I have parents that want things run one way, as well as the hockey board that wants them run a different way. This dwelling place that is created leaves an open forum for peoples thoughts to be passed onto me, but at the end of the day we are all working toward that good.
John,
ReplyDeleteYou have a really valuable and difficult position being the coach as you have to navigate between many peoples different ideas of what the good is. You have a position that has to identify many different narratives and take many different peoples perspective into consideration. I would imagine that it can often be difficult to please everyone. However, this can be a major challenge in working in any organization because they're so many competing narratives that try to meet in the dwelling place in order to promote the common good. Thus, how do we come to consensus about what the good is and should be?
The ultimate good of an organization stems from a person or group of people who have an idea or a purpose. Next, the purpose then creates the type of image that will be associated with that organization--giving that organization a certain identity. For example, people who work at Walmart have a certain dress code and image that they have to present to the public. However, it is important to analyze who makes these dress codes and rules, along with why they make them? I think at Walmart or in a big corporation like Walmart, dress codes and rules are in forced to employ a power structure. The system utilized by Walmart runs more a long the lines of a power structure because Walmart doesn't take into consideration what their employees want, but Walmart is more concerned with maintaining a certain image to gain a profit in the long run. Yes, those people chose to work at Walmart, but a lot of times people don't have a "free choice" of where they want to work because they are only concerned with finding a job that can provide for them and their family. Hence, I think I would be valuable for corporations to take into consideration what the employers in the store have to say as they have all the direct contact with customers.
In conclusion, organizations have a difficult space to navigate because they have to try and please a lot of people. However, it is impossible to please everyone and in that, an organization must decide what the mission statement is and stick to it. Keeping an open mind is an beneficial way to create a safe place where people can come and share their ideas. Finally, organizations have a difficult task in pleasing everyone, but how they treat those within their organization is a key component to building a successful organization.