Monday, March 1, 2010

Culture, projects, and politics

Here's a quote worth considering the next time politics interrupts your project:

"...the central conservative truth is that it is culture, not politics, that determines the success of a society [read: project]. The central liberal truth is that politics can change a culture and save it from itself [read: avoid dissing a project that might be worthy but not culturally compatible].”

Who said these words of wisdom? None other than Daniel Patrick Moynihan, former White House advisor and U.S. Senator.

So, what to make of this idea?

Point 1: Culture dominates! If your project methodology is counter-cultural, then be advised: "some work required here"

Point 2: Culture is changeable, but politics is untidy tool!. Politics, sometimes at variance with long-held beliefs [organizational, not necessarily personal], and sometimes at variance with principles [actionable guidance around beliefs] is often the tactial plan of the moment.

Point 3: Culture adapts to the new reality over time, if actions are repeated consistently.

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