Disrupting Corporate Culture: How Cognitive Science Alters Accepted Beliefs About Culture and Culture Change and Its Impact on Leaders and Change Agents

Research in cognitive science over the last 30 years shows that much of what we know about culture in the business world is based on myth, wishful thinking, outdated science, or is just plain wrong. This book bridges the gap between the latest research on cognitive science and culture, providing a valuable guide for change leaders, CEOs, and practitioners on how to sustainably work with and change this important resource.

Format: Hardback
Length: 218 pages
Publication date: 18 August 2020
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Over the past three decades, significant research in cognitive science has revealed that much of what we believe about culture in the business world is based on myth, wishful thinking, outdated science, or simply incorrect. Consequently, culture-shaping and change initiatives within organizations often fail to have a substantial impact on the daily experiences of employees. This book aims to bridge the gap between the latest research in cognitive science and culture, offering valuable insights for change leaders, CEOs, and practitioners on effectively working with and transforming this crucial resource. It addresses numerous critical questions that have plagued culture work, including:

Why do so many CEOs and management consultants advocate for culture change, despite the limited success of cultural interventions?

Why do CEOs persist in believing that culture originates at the top, despite the lack of empirical evidence in anthropology to support this claim?

Why do most culture-shaping approaches fail to provide a solution for influencing culture in global companies?

Why do we continue to believe that culture has the power to influence our behavior, even though scientific research indicates otherwise?

Why do many culture-shaping projects prioritize corporate values, despite the challenges posed by modern science regarding the difficulty of changing personal values?

What insights from the past 30 years of cognitive science are providing the foundation for more impactful and sustainable interventions in culture change?

This book explains why, by highlighting how everyday business practices, extending beyond HR, play a critical role in driving culture change. It emphasizes the importance of establishing new, sustained, and widespread organizational habits and routines to alter the brain's synaptic plasticity and facilitate meaningful cultural transformation.

In conclusion, this groundbreaking and practical guide offers a comprehensive roadmap for change leaders, CEOs, and practitioners seeking to create a more inclusive, effective, and sustainable organizational culture. By embracing the latest research in cognitive science and applying it to everyday business practices, readers can finally unlock the full potential of culture as a powerful driver of innovation, growth, and success.

Weight: 528g
Dimension: 162 x 241 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367280864