There are a number of things that influence the culture of particular environments. Rules, regulations, ways of enforcement, social mores, etc. In all of this, I think one of the more important variables in determining the feel of an environment is the particular culture imposed by the Leader’s personality. You can change departments in the same company, you could take an identical class from a different instructor, you may have the exact same job with a different boss; and in every scenario you will inevitably find that the atmosphere changes. Often times quite deeply. I remember visiting a sister restaurant to pick up some noodles (is this perhaps the oddest sentence you’ve ever run across?). Walking in through the front door I encountered an entirely different aura. The workers seemed kinder, they wore a sort of authentic cheerfulness; and when their manager met me and directed me on back I instantly knew why the atmosphere was different. He was different. Those who are put into positions of leadership have the powerful ability to set attitude trends that will profoundly affect every aspect of the space they are responsible for.

I’ve been thinking about this a lot recently because of my just-ended job search. Getting a job with a disenfrachising culture-setter would be placing myself in a continually worsening situation. So: here’s what to consider. We all have some degree of leadership/culture-setting influence on others; what culture is being set by the persona you wear around others? If you’re looking for a job, consider what you’re getting yourself into. If you have a bad impression but assume that things will get better as time goes by, your thinking is most likely flawed. Attitudes, as any parent knows, run deep and take a great deal of work to change.

What’s Next: I’d like to follow through on my idea of “paradox posts.” Keep your eyes peeled…