We live in a world where the workplace is changing every day. There are an unprecedented number of generations all working together right now, from the Baby Boomers who are just reaching retirement age to the soon-to-be-incoming Generation Z who will be hitting the workplace within the next three or four years. That means four different generations with four different outlooks, work ethics and sets of demands.
How does an employer deal with the unique dynamics they face on a daily basis? The answer isn’t as simple as we’d like, but it starts with understanding how everyone fits together as a family within your corporation. Read about corporate family structures, what they are, and what you can do to improve relationships and morale across the board in your business.
What is a Corporate Family?
The idea of a corporate family was first articulated in the late 1980s and early 90s by Dr. Steve Wilke, who at the time was still pursuing his clinical psychology degree. During his graduate program, Dr. Wilke came to realize that group dynamics formed a vital part of the functioning of any community or unit, and that this idea could be applied to leadership as well.
In essence, a family unit within a corporation isn’t much different from your family at home, although in general there aren’t blood ties present. However, these people are an important social grouping that exercise a great deal of influence on one another and who have an effect on each individual’s daily life.
Corporate Leadership and Family Structure
We spend more time at work than at home during our waking hours, and that’s an important thing to keep in mind. It means that the people with whom we work are in many ways just as vital to our lives as our blood relatives are. They are, in a very real sense, cousins, siblings, uncles and aunts.
This means that management and organizational leaders function in many respects as parental figures in the group dynamics. They help make decisions, set goals and boundaries and guide the next generation to become responsible and productive leaders in their own right.
Handling Modern Dynamics
Dr. Wilke has created an entire system of corporate mentorship, leadership and accountability built around this core concept, and many leaders have found it to not only be effective, but essential in handling the unique dynamics of the modern workplace.
Treating your workers like a family enables leaders to manage the tricky interpersonal relationships that emerge between, for example, Baby Boomers and Millennials, who have completely different approaches to the workplace, but who, when managed properly, can find a lot of value in these different perspectives.
Modern Products for a Modern Workplace
At Omegasonics, we understand and value the new business dynamics and the way a corporate family works together to create a successful company culture. Of course, the right equipment is also vital to that success, and we have years of experience and expertise providing ultrasonic cleaning technology to keep your business running at peak levels. For more information, read about us and get in touch today!
