Why Your Workplace Shouldn’t be Your “Family” - podcast episode cover

Why Your Workplace Shouldn’t be Your “Family”

Mar 06, 20231 hr 4 minSeason 1Ep. 131
--:--
--:--
Listen in podcast apps:
Metacast
Spotify
Youtube
RSS

Episode description

It's common to hear people describe their work organizations as a "family." And that description is often made as a proud statement, as if to imply that an organization should operate or feel like a family. But that's problematic, as we discuss in this episode. Specifically, we explore:

  • Why our use of metaphors for organization matters
  • How the way in which we talk about things can create or reinforce cultural norms
  • Why “family” is a problematic way to think about your work organization
  • Implications for people, leaders, and organizations

Links and other information

Örtenblad, A., Putnam, L. L., & Trehan, K. (2016). Beyond Morgan’s eight metaphors: Adding to and developing organization theory. Human Relations, 69(4), 875-889. Click here

Gareth Morgan’s seminal book, Images of Organization

Harvard Business Review article by Joshua Luna, “The Toxic Effects of Branding Your Workplace a ‘Family’” 

Article by David Burkus: “Why a company is not a family — and how companies can bond with their employees instead”

All episodes plus MUCH more: Elevating What Works

Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android
Open in Metacast
Why Your Workplace Shouldn’t be Your “Family” | The Indigo Podcast - Listen or read transcript on Metacast