“SOLID AS A ROCK”

“SOLID AS A ROCK”
Snapshot
• Focuses on information that is factual, real, and current
• Makes decisions using logic, analysis, and cause-and-effect
reasoning
• Is energized by the inner world of ideas and experiences
• Prefers a structured, organized, and planned environment
For many people, this type of organization personifies corporate
America. Stable, reliable, and sensible, the organization takes its
work very seriously, and it expects everyone else to do the same.
To the outside world, the organization appears to be right on
target almost all the time. Outsiders don’t get to see all the inner
workings of this rather closed organization. Decisions are made
internally, relying on the organization’s own inside experts, and it
30
 Profiles of Practicality
keeps its policies and procedures to itself. There may be an air of
mystery even within the organization itself, since decisions are made
quietly and without much collaboration.
Customers and clients of the organization can count on receiving
focused service. This efficient workhorse will provide products and
services on time and as promised, within established guidelines.
Innovative and totally new ideas are not this organization’s strong
suit. It might provide new ideas that would affect certain aspects of
a product or service, but it’s unlikely to stick its neck way out for
something totally new and different. The only thing that motivates
this organization to make changes is its strong sense of right and
wrong. If the organization decides that it needs to make a change to
make something right in its mind, then it will make the changes in a
deliberate, step-by-step manner.
Employees can count on being dealt with in a fair, logical, impartial
(but also impersonal) manner. Procedures, standards, and
guidelines exist to let employees know exactly what is expected of
them.These are expected to be followed with few or no exceptions.
Principle will guide decisions, not the personal feelings that might
be involved.
Rituals and traditions are the most important way that this
organization stays connected with its employees. It is likely to have
many traditions that outsiders may not understand, and employees
are expected to participate out of a sense of loyalty.