Cultural Force: Work Priorities
This Force of Culture is a powerful one that will allow us to consider ways our cultural norms are influencing our behavior and lives. In the most fundamental case,…
This Force of Culture is a powerful one that will allow us to consider ways our cultural norms are influencing our behavior and lives. In the most fundamental case, people work in order to sustain themselves (monetarily, physically, and emotionally) and to realize meaning in their lives. What we do not always recognize however, is how our culture has influenced our view of our jobs, careers and leisure time.
The cultural Force of Work Priorities does not have to do with whether or not individuals, organizations, or societies work or do not work, but rather how they value work. What place does work occupy in their lives? What priority does work have in their decision-making processes; what activities do we consider to be work; do we work because we have to or because we find meaning in work itself; what motivates us to ‘work harder’; and what kind of behavior do we consider to be ‘lazy’.
We are not limited to considering work in our formal employment, or job. Work for some of us may be our responsibilities as homemakers, or in volunteer organizations. Our work values may affect our performance and our interactions with others in our full-time job, but also in other organizations in which we participate, and even in our families.
For our assessment we want to understand whether people view work as a central focus or as means to other priorities.
As with each of the Forces, there are a number of ways we could analyze Work Priorities. Our focus will be on the continuum of Means vs. Ends. Does a person view work as a necessary part of life, which is primarily a means to reach other goals outside of work (in other words, “do we work to live?”) Or is work a central focus of life, around which we may group other life goals, and a place where we receive much of our basic satisfaction in life (do we “live to work”)?
Frankly, for most people it is not black and white. Many people work because they need to and they also find great satisfaction in their work while striving for a balance in life. However, research does clearly show that cultures and societies norms place an emphasis on one or the other of these extremes. Remember, you are being influenced by your own cultural norms right now as you think about this.
The following is a general description of Means and End attitudes towards Work Priorities. Remember these are the extremes. Most cultures and people probably fall somewhere in between, but you will usually find a “norm” with a tendency to one extreme or the other.
Means and End
The following tendencies have been identified as possible attitudees, perceptions and actions of people from cultures on each extreme of the continuum (As viewed from someone on the other extreme).
Means Extreme Cultures
Work is mainly a way to provide resources to fulfill other priorities
Can usually clearly separate work and other activities
Work is something that must be done, but not necessarily liked (a necessary evil)
Sometimes viewed as just putting in time
May not want to work overtime, long hours or take work home
Maybe mobile with employment (less loyalty to company)
Life is to be lived
End Extreme Cultures
Your work (job, occupation) tends to be a primary source of self realization and satisfaction
Success at work is a major (maybe #1) goal
Tend to work long hours and take work home
Have trouble separating work from other activities
Work and service are a virtue
Loyalty to job/company is important
Life is to accomplish something
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