Charles Handy Model of Organization Culture

Summary

In this course, Kelly from the Management Study Guides Content Team explores Charles Handy's model of organizational culture. The video follows Jennifer Smith, a senior software tester, as she transitions from a supportive and open culture at Leonardo to a hierarchical and restrictive one at Oswald Software Inc. The course delves into Handy's four types of organizational culture: Power (Zeus), Task (Athena), Person (Dionysus), and Role (Apollo), highlighting their characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages. It emphasizes the importance of understanding an organization's culture to ensure a good fit for employees, as Jennifer's experience illustrates.

Takeaways

• 📊 The script introduces the Charles Handy model, which helps to understand various organizational cultures.
• 👩‍💼 Jennifer Smith faced challenges adjusting to Oswald Software's power-centered culture, which was hierarchical and restrictive.
• 🔝 In Oswald Software, decision-making power was concentrated at the top, leading to limited employee input and some managerial favoritism.
• 🏢 Jennifer's previous company, Leonardo, had an open culture that empowered employees by delegating roles based on their specialization and allowing them to express their ideas.
• 📉 Jennifer struggled to adapt to Oswald’s rigid culture and eventually decided to leave, realizing the importance of understanding an organization's culture before joining.
• 📚 The Charles Handy model categorizes organizational cultures into four types: Power Culture, Role Culture, Task Culture, and Person Culture.
• 🕸️ Power Culture is depicted by the Greek god Zeus and is characterized by centralized decision-making, with authority held by a few key individuals.
• 🏛️ Role Culture is represented by the Greek god Apollo, symbolizing a structured environment with defined roles, responsibilities, and hierarchies.
• ⚒️ Task Culture, associated with Athena, focuses on teamwork, problem-solving, and assigning tasks to the best-suited individuals based on skills and resources.
• 🧑‍🔬 Person Culture, linked to Dionysius, values individualism, autonomy, and personal expertise, often seen in organizations where specialists work independently.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the course mentioned in the transcript?

The primary focus of the course is to discuss Charles Handy's model of organizational culture in detail.

Who is Jennifer Smith, and what challenges did she face at Oswald Software Inc.?

Jennifer Smith is a senior software tester who joined Oswald Software Inc. with three years of experience. She faced challenges adjusting to Oswald's hierarchical culture, where decision-making was centralized, and employees had limited freedom to express their ideas.

How did the organizational culture at Jennifer's previous company, Leonardo, differ from that at Oswald Software?

At Leonardo, the culture was more open and employee-friendly, with roles delegated based on employees' specialization and interests. Employees had more autonomy and could freely express ideas, unlike the rigid hierarchical culture at Oswald Software.

What decision did Jennifer ultimately make after struggling to adapt to Oswald’s culture?

Jennifer decided to quit her job at Oswald Software after a year because she could not adjust to its hierarchical culture and preferred a more open environment where she could express her ideas freely.

What are the four types of organizational culture according to Charles Handy’s model?

The four types of organizational culture in Charles Handy's model are: power culture, role culture, task culture, and person culture.

What is a power culture, as described in the transcript?

In a power culture, decision-making authority is concentrated in the hands of a few individuals who enjoy special privileges and hold most of the power within the organization.

What does the Greek god Zeus symbolize in Charles Handy’s model?

Zeus represents the 'club' or power culture in Charles Handy’s model, symbolizing organizations where power is centralized among a few individuals.

How does a role culture function, and what symbol represents it in the model?

Role culture functions through well-defined roles and responsibilities, typically structured in a hierarchical manner. It is symbolized by a Greek temple, where different functions (pillars) are connected at the top by senior management (the pediment).

What type of organizations follow a task or Athena culture?

Organizations that follow a task or Athena culture are problem-focused. They allocate resources to address specific problems and are represented by Athena, the goddess of wisdom.

What practical use does the Charles Handy model offer to individuals and organizations?

The Charles Handy model helps individuals and organizations understand the organizational culture they are joining or managing, allowing them to adjust and fit in, thereby optimizing performance and mutual benefit.