Have you ever had a genuine great idea for your company only to have your supervisor shoot it down like a clay pigeon at a skeet shoot? There are certain company cultures where those who have creative spirits, think outside the lines, or possess special initiative, are slowly forced into line with all the other vanilla-flavored employees who have learned not to rock the boat if you want your paychecks to continue.
Assimilation is a good word for this organization’s process of new employee orientation. Management seeks to bring new employees into conformity. Coloring outside the lines, developing innovative ideas and challenging the status quo are just not tolerated. These activities are signs an employee has not been properly assimilated.
The leaders of these organizations are afraid. They possess a fear of allowing employees to take ownership of their positions, finding innovative ways to perform their jobs better, faster, and more efficiently. Leaders who do not trust their people tend create a process of assimilation where eventually everyone speaks, acts, works, and even dresses the same. The human spirit was meant to be free. Avoid Assimilation Inc.
Image Credit: Conformity by deleuran
