In an increasingly chaotic world, interdependencies only keep increasing since technology generates and shares information in real time. At times, we are struck with many choices that appear to be right, and yet confused, as to which is right.
The cultural context
Another powerful influencer on our hesitation to ask questions is an outcome of the environment in which we live. Here, we are talking about the experiences one goes through in work or a family as adults. The office examples shared at the beginning is actually the impact of the culture that exists in an office environment. We could easily assume which of the two organisations would be facilitating the culture of asking questions from the leader's reactions and which would not.
In the Indian context, where the power distance (Hofstede's study findings on culture) equation is very high, there is a natural tendency to accept the wisdom, and, the presence of the hierarchical authority. In such cultures, questioning the leader, is at times, even tantamount to defiance and disrespect. Here we grapple with a larger issue of country culture. Going by the above, organisations can either take a legitimate stand or perpetuate this handicap or can take a bold move to break away from this shackle and seed the culture where enquiry and dissent are encouraged. Some reasons that convey a sense of urgency to imbibe the questioning culture.
2. Compelling reasons to facilitate a culture that support questioning:
The demographic shift
This story is from the November 2018 edition of Human Capital.
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This story is from the November 2018 edition of Human Capital.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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