With so many different possible
corporate environments, how can you determine
which one(s) are a good fit for your personality?
What
Is "Corporate" Material?
The phrase "corporate material" covers
a wide range of characteristics and attributes
that typical employees in a particular organization
will possess. It relates to personality types,
motivators, work patterns, management styles,
communication styles, structural preferences and
interpersonal styles. To determine if you are
a good fit for a particular corporate environment
- "corporate material" for that unique
organization - you need to evaluate some common
organizational attributes.
Organizational
Attributes
What are organizational attributes? They can be
tangible, measurable things as well as intangible,
intrinsic characteristics of a company. Some attributes
arise out of business needs while others arise
out of a company's history, leadership, and historical
experiences.
Some of the most common organizational
attributes include:
Location
- Where a company is located is a very important
attribute. An organization located in New York
City will have far different characteristics than
one located in Dallas, Texas, or Missoula, Montana.
Different characteristics are often seen within
a single company when there are branch offices
in different locations.
Structure
- The structure of an organization can influence
its attributes as well. One that is large and
hierarchical tends to appeal to a different type
of employee than one that is smaller and more
egalitarian. Still another type of employee is
attracted to a small business or a start-up company.
Creativity
- Organizations encourage and support differing
amounts of creativity within their ranks. A power
plant or road construction company will probably
foster less creativity in employees than an advertising
agency or a magazine.
Freedom
- Some organizations allow their employees a great
deal of flexibility and freedom. They may have
flexible work hours, self-directed goals, telecommuting
opportunities, or an "open door" atmosphere
that allows any employee to talk to the CEO or
senior management. Other companies have strict
rules and business processes that dictate performance
goals, office hours, communication standards and
such.
Regimen
- A very regimented organization will have steady,
predictable activities that do not vary greatly
from one day or month to another, while another
organization may have activities that change and
evolve depending on conditions, business needs,
or some other factors.
How
Do You Know What Type of Corporate Material You
Are?
The fact is, only you can answer this question.
Take an honest look at yourself and do a thorough
self-assessment. What are your preferences for
working conditions, work environment, corporate
personality and organizational culture?
A good place to start is by responding
to reliable and valid personality or behavioral
profile. Keep in mind that the results you get
back are indicators of your general preferences
and personality type. You will then need to determine
how your preferences integrate with corporate
culture that you are considering entering.
Use the results of the personality
assessment, combined with your own self-knowledge,
to make a list of the corporate attributes that
match your preferences. Look through the common
attributes listed above and think of any others
that resonate with you.
Once you have experienced this
type of process, you will be well on the way to
determining what kind of "corporate material"
you really are.
