Corporate Anthropology: Michael Henderson at TEDxAuckland

Summary

In this TED Talk, corporate anthropologist Michael Henderson explores the parallels between traditional tribes and modern organizations, emphasizing the importance of culture in the workplace. He discusses the concept of 'Ubuntu', the African philosophy of interconnectedness, and suggests that organizations should focus on relationship-building and employee engagement over mere results. Henderson argues that a company's culture can be its strongest form of competition and that leaders should foster dignity and respect among employees, much like tribal leaders do within their communities.

Takeaways

• 😄 The speaker humorously clarifies a smoke incident wasn't his fault, setting a light-hearted tone for the talk.
• 🛂 A story about a Russian factory worker illustrates how company culture can be overlooked, similar to how wheelbarrows were not checked by security.
• 🌟 The field of corporate anthropology focuses on understanding the nature of people within organizations, which the speaker found fascinating.
• 🎓 The speaker's journey into corporate anthropology was unintentional, starting with a degree in anthropology and an unexpected job in advertising.
• 👨‍💼 The distinction between a 'cult' and a 'culture' in organizations is highlighted, where a cult focuses on the leader's greatness, not the people's.
• 🌐 The speaker suggests that organizations are modern tribes and that we should pay more attention to the culture within them.
• 🏆 Engagement in organizations is typically low, with only 20% of people fully engaged, affecting productivity and customer service.
• 👵👶 Traditional tribes ensure all members contribute, unlike many organizations where a minority drives results.
• 🌱 The concept of 'Ubuntu' from southern Africa emphasizes the interconnectedness and dignity of all members in a community.
• 🏆 The speaker concludes by encouraging the audience to consider the balance between relationships and results, suggesting that sometimes surrendering for a relationship can be beneficial.

Q & A

What is the humorous incident Michael Henderson mentions at the beginning of his talk?

Michael Henderson humorously clarifies that the smoke that appeared behind him was not due to him, joking about not wanting to be known as the guy who caused such an incident at TED.

What is the寓意 of the story about the Russian factory worker told by Michael Henderson?

The story of the Russian factory worker illustrates the idea that company culture, like the wheelbarrows, can be overlooked and 'stolen' without notice, implying that culture is often ignored until it's too late.

How does Michael Henderson define corporate anthropology?

Corporate anthropology is defined by Michael Henderson as the discovery and search for the nature of people within organizations.

What was the unexpected outcome of Michael Henderson's first job in an advertising group in London?

The unexpected outcome was that Michael Henderson realized the CEO was running a 'cult' rather than a culture, where the leader sees greatness in himself rather than the people.

What is the difference between a cult and a culture according to Michael Henderson?

In a cult, the leader sees greatness in themselves, whereas in a culture, the leader sees greatness in the people.

What does Michael Henderson suggest is the首席 executive officer's role in relation to culture, structure, and strategy?

Michael Henderson suggests the CEO's role involves being the head of culture (C), the head of structure (E), and the delivery of strategy (O), with a special emphasis on the chief's role in culture.

Why does Michael Henderson argue that organizations should consider themselves as modern tribes?

He argues that organizations are modern tribes because people spend a significant amount of their time within these groups, which can influence their cultural and societal behaviors.

What is the significance of the term 'Ubuntu' in the context of Michael Henderson's talk?

The term 'Ubuntu' signifies that a person is a person because of other people, emphasizing the interconnectedness and interdependence within a tribe or organization.

What is the typical engagement level in modern organizations according to global surveys mentioned by Michael Henderson?

Global surveys indicate that on average, only 20% of people in modern organizations are engaged, with 80% either sitting on the fence or disengaged.

How does Michael Henderson suggest organizations can learn from traditional tribes regarding human resources?

He suggests that instead of treating people as 'human resources', organizations should resource humans for an occupation, similar to how traditional tribes approach their members.

What is the main takeaway from Michael Henderson's personal story about his children fighting over the TV remote?

The main takeaway is the importance of prioritizing relationships over immediate results, as illustrated by his son choosing to 'wave the white flag' to maintain a positive relationship with his sister.