Culture vs Cult, what's yours?☠️🎭

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Within the realm of business and organizations, a delicate boundary exists between a positive corporate culture and a toxic, cult-like environment. Despite their similarity in pronunciation, the terms "culture" and "cult" have quite different connotations and effects on an organization. Comprehending the differences between the two is essential to cultivating a constructive and efficient work atmosphere.

Being a part of an organization that more closely resembles a cult than having a positive corporate culture can be a very uncomfortable and often upsetting experience.

Culture

Geert Hofstede defined culture as, "the programming of the human mind by which one group of people distinguishes itself from another group". It is always a shared, collective phenomenon, that is learned from your environment. (Hofstede, 1980)

Since culture is a phenomenon that occurs inside groups, we may use it to analyze group behavior and determine the likelihood that a given group of individuals would act in a particular way. In other words, neither a person nor a culture can be said to fully reflect either one.

Cult

Within an organization, a group that demonstrates extreme loyalty to a single leader or set of ideas is said to have a cult-like atmosphere. Unwavering loyalty, seclusion from the outside world, and a stifling conformity that stifles independent thought and innovation are characteristics of this unhealthy organizational culture.


Organizational Culture vs Cult

Corporate culture is the shared beliefs of an organization, whereas a cult is a group of people who follow a specific leader or set of beliefs. Establishing a balance is essential to preventing exploitation and ensuring a positive work ambiance, even though many corporate cultures exhibit behaviors akin to those of a cult.

Organizational cultures are vital for a productive work environment. Forbes claims that businesses with a strong corporate culture experienced a four-fold boost in revenue growth. (Forbes, 2011)

But what happens when culture starts becoming cultish?

The environment can start to become harmful and restrictive when management and leadership try to control employees' thoughts, behavior, and even communication in the name of "streamlining company culture."

Signs of a cult-like organizational culture.

• All-knowing leadership
• No room for differences
• A new and better way
• Works prove beliefs

Dangers of a cult-like corporate culture.

Isolation from one's family and community, an excessive dependence on a charismatic leader, and a lack of perspective can result from a corporate culture that is cult-like. It can also suppress dissent and skepticism, which are essential for innovation and growth.

How to avoid developing a cult-like organizational culture?

Establishing a work environment that values individuality, encourages dissent, and supports a healthy work-life balance can help organizations avoid creating a cult-like culture. They should also make sure that their culture does not undermine the value of having a life outside of work and refrain from relying too much on a single leader.

A healthy corporate culture promotes inclusivity, transparency, innovation, and trust, while a cult-like atmosphere fosters authoritarianism, isolation, conformity, and mistrust.





Additional reading :


References :

Kotter. Does corporate culture drive financial performance? Forbes 2011,
https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/2011/02/10/does-corporate-culture-drive-financial-performance/?sh=22ed74df7e9e

Hofstede, Geert. Culture’s Consequences: International Differences in Work-Related Values. Cross-Cultural Research and Methodology 5. Beverly Hills CA: SAGE, 1980a.



Comments

  1. Oshada Vinod RanasingheDecember 14, 2023 at 10:25 AM

    Indeed, your distinction between a healthy company culture and a poisonous, cult-like setting is well-founded and instructive.
    Cult-like environments often have strict rules and regulations, with heavy emphasis on control over members' thoughts, behaviors, and even personal lives. Positive cultures, on the other hand, support personal freedom and expression within specific bounds.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Piyumi Wickramasinghe December 15, 2023 at 6:35 PM

      Yes dangerous as it is cult-like cultures work by isolating people from family, community and, most importantly, perspective. Worst of all, they are highly dependent and enslaved on the messianic charisma of their leader.

      Delete
  2. Charith PereraDecember 17, 2023 at 7:27 AM

    Great Post , As it seems cult like culture doesn't looking for work life balance , Employee well being just the outcome for the company , This is a serious issue in mostly faced lower level staff in various organizations sometimes employees becoming helpless in this situations.

    ReplyDelete
  3. b.harshaniDecember 19, 2023 at 9:12 AM

    Great Article Piyumi, I would like to say, its important to maintain a balance to avoid exploitation and ensure healthy work environment. I hope you too agree on this

    ReplyDelete
  4. JasothanDecember 19, 2023 at 11:14 AM

    Well analyzed. As you said if is good organizational culture employees will feel to work because they are valued, respected, and supported. Whereas a cult it is basically a toxic work environment where it is the opposite and a lot of bad politics involved.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Rehana UvaisDecember 19, 2023 at 9:46 PM

    Honestly the difference between a cult and culture is something most people in it wouldn't be able to differentiate. No person in a cult would identify themselves as being in a cult. Leaders in these instance have a big role to play wherein they ensure they are not part of a cult and eradicate a cult-like mentality. Strength in engagement plays a key role here. A 'highly engaged' employee will see right through it and keep themselves away from cults.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Nishadhi PintoDecember 20, 2023 at 5:10 AM

    A very interesting topic. Yes, the distinction between culture and a cult within an organisation is not always clear-cut, and the line between them can be fine. However, recognising this difference is crucial for the well-being and success of any company. A healthy corporate culture encourages inclusivity, transparency, innovation, and trust, while a cult-like atmosphere fosters authoritarianism, isolation, conformity, and mistrust. (Symes, 2023)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Dimuthu DharshanaDecember 20, 2023 at 8:40 AM

    Maintaining a positive work environment can be challenging. It's like striking a balance between a strong sense of teamwork and not becoming overly rigid. While cultures foster teamwork, they can also be detrimental if they become overly rigid. Look out for signals such as absolute boss control and intolerance of disagreement.
    People should be allowed to be who they are and should not be overly dependent on a single leader. In this manner, work maintains its awesomeness and does not become a strange cult that undermines trust and innovation.

    ReplyDelete

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