Culture Safari
Using photographs to engage hearts and minds
While it would be difficult, maybe even impossible, for an outside observer to accurately make sense of what this image of a shelf of teas and cereals might mean to a group, members of an organization have no difficulty articulating its cultural meaning and significance.
The Culture Safari invites participants to explore the shared beliefs and assumptions that influence the way things get done in their organization or group. By using photography we help participants gain heightened awareness of their organization’s culture and its subcultures and with this a deeper understanding of the ways that they shape the culture around them.
The Activity
Prior to this workshop, participants go on a photographic safari of their workplace taking pictures of artifacts that, in their opinion, best capture their organization or group’s current culture and/or the culture the organization or group needs to achieve its goals and fulfill its purpose. They bring the most meaningful of their images to the workshop where they are merged with the photographs of the other participants to create a culture collage. The end result is a visual and written representation of an organization or group’s culture that is used to introduce a number of important concepts pertaining to leadership and culture and reveal key beliefs that are operating to shape behaviors and practices.
The Culture Safari consists of two modules. Module 1 explores the current culture of the organization (or group). It is especially useful for introducing basic concepts in the area of organizational culture. Module 2 builds on Module 1 with a focus on the culture the needed for the future. This module is particularly effective in helping leaders to think about the relationship between culture, strategy and performance and the role that leaders play in shaping and changing culture. Module 1 can be run alone or in combination with Module 2. See an example of the Culture Safari learning objectives.
When to use it
The Culture Safari can be used in leadership development programs, in team building with groups, within business transformation initiatives and during merger integration. It can be incorporated in change management activities when a shift in culture is desired and, in this case, more time is spent on identification of beliefs that anchor the culture and those that need to shift in the future.
Time requirements
Module 1 Current Culture – Minimum 90 minutes; Maximum 120 minutes
Module 2 Future Culture – Minimum 75 minutes; Maximum 135 minutes
Facilitation options
Our trained facilitators are able to deliver this module as part of your development or change initiatives.
Experienced organizational development experts can also purchase the Culture Safari design and facilitator's guide and receive training and support. Contact Culture-Strategy Fit to discuss your needs.
