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The weird world of corporate training (76)

Modern corporate culture is a cult

Corporate leadership retreats: what a weird little microcosm, aren't they? One the one hand, it is very nice that the company you work for is willing to set time aside and pay trainers to help grow your skills. This is especially true for leadership; not only do you inspire people, but you also create the next generation of leaders.

But there is something in those events I find really odd. Something that I would describe only as a cult - a cult of self-worship. All that you are learning in such an event is centered around a particularly individualistic view of the world. You learn about your core values, your circle of influence, your whys,... all about yourself. Individually, those tools could even be helpful in cutting through the noise and helping you persevere. But overall, the material teaches you to think in terms of individuals and does not foster collective consciousness which is perhaps the most important thing about leadership.

 A real example

And here is a practical example if you are curious, straight from a corporate leadership event I recently joined. A colleague was voicing concern over the company policy of not issuing permanent contracts. The trainer carefully listened and asked some questions. After it became obvious that there is little to be done at an individual level and that the worst case might be having to find another job, the trainer concluded: "Perhaps then the best way forward is to not think in negative terms". I was shocked - perhaps instead, the company managers should face the music and see the result of their actions. This negativity maybe will force them to reconsider company policy? One can also suggest collective actions, but hey, let's not go that far - we are a "family" after all, aren't we? 

Hey, what's your star sign say?

The worst offender in my mind, are all those personality tests. It comes in various forms: myers-briggs personality (MBTI) types, the core quadrants model and other similar tools basically try to divide people into concrete categories. Then you see how your category works and with what other categories you can or can't work well. Despite serious questions about their scientific validity, there is something oddly sensible in those tools. Doing the tests makes you fell that they actually say something about you.

Sound familiar? Seeing this from another lens, this is truly the equivalent of astrology. Isn't it shocking how much easier it is for people to take this seriously, while the packaging of actual astrology and witchcraft scares us?

And I get it - labeling things is fun. But is that really worth the trouble? 

Delve deep, but keep your compass

Here is the dark answer - I think it's actually worth the trouble to learn the shamanistic language of modern leadership gurus. First, to understand how easy it is to fool people - we all love to hear about ourselves. But most importantly, in tightly knit organizations (e.g. cults) knowing the secret language is key to getting ahead. Knowing how your environment thinks and how to present yourself or cut through the smoke if you so wish are powerful weapons and shouldn't be ignored.
 
However, be warned - as said earlier, these concepts slowly make you think more in individual terms and not collective ones. Instead, all human power has consistently been when we work together and actually listen to and care for one another. Be mindful of your values and only do things that feel right.
 

 

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