Ozioma Egwuonwu - Reinventing Company CultureApply to Speak

1 article/video left!

log in or sign up to unlock 3 more articles/videos this month and explore our expert resources.

Automatic Summary

Unleashing the Power of Transformation in Your Organization

Hi, my name is Ozioma Egwuonwu, and I am the Chief Transformation Officer at Burnbright International, a company dedicated to empowering individuals and organizations to reach their full potential. For over 15 years, I have had the pleasure of working with various entities ranging from individuals, NGOs, United Nations committees, to Fortune 50 companies. My passion lies in creating transformational strategies that shake things up, promote empowerment, and support initiatives for a better world. In this article, we will explore how to view organizational transformation from a fresh perspective and identify our roles in creating a seismic shift in our organizations and lives.

Transformation and Organizational Culture: Unearthing the Hidden Iceberg

Frederic Laloux, a renowned writer and speaker, beautifully encapsulates the essence of organizational transformation. According to him, "organizations, as we know them today, are simply the expression of our current world view and our current stage of development." In line with this perspective, every organization is continuously suffering a state of evolution, and each individual contributes to this process based on their level of awareness. To better understand this transformation, let's consider the iceberg theory of culture, created by Edward Teal. Much like an iceberg, the observable behaviors and practices in an organization are just the surface. Rendering the phrase "the way we do things around here" a clear oversimplification of what culture really represents. The real cultural paradigm resides beneath the surface - perceptions, attitudes, beliefs, and value systems that undergird the entire system.

Breaking down the Paradigm: The Cultural Web

The paradigm of a particular culture consists of the stories we tell, the symbols we honor, the power structures that exist, the organizational structures, control systems, and our routines and rituals. By understanding how these aspects interlock and work together, we can start to decipher the cultural paradigm of an organization. This knowledge is critical for implementing effective cultural interventions that challenge the status quo and give rise to a holistic, integral, and thriving system.

From Growth Mindset to Transformation Mindset

The paradigm shift in organizational culture requires not just a growth mindset, but also a transformation mindset. It's the belief that we, both individually and collectively, have the power to transform our present reality in a way that supports greater transformation.

The Nectar Process of Culture Reinvention

  • Notice: Begin by heightening your awareness of the underlying premises, principles, and practices that create the culture.
  • Engage: Involve in investigations, discussions, and dialogues that support the exploration of dynamics at play and how to transform them.
  • Commit to Transformation: Establish a transformative statement outlining what your organization is committed to transforming.
  • Activate: Promote transformative action within your company, remaining adaptable and mindful of both macro and micro changes.
  • Reflect: Ensure consistent check-ins for assessments and opportunity for enhancements in the journey. Incorporate daily practices such as meditation or moments of pause aiming for continuous reflection.

The Now Frontiers of Company Reinvention

The future of company reinvention lies in the onset of two main fronts: sustainability innovation, moving from a depletion model to a generative model and transformative DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), shifting from performative actions to paradigm-shifting ones over a 90-day period cycle. By focusing on these domains, organizations and individuals alike can create a new vision of possibility and collectively make that dream our reality.


Video Transcription

Read More