Be the Cultural Immune System

Curating exceptional culture also means protecting it. Threats must be identified and eliminated. In “A Failure of Nerve,” author Edwin Friedman likens organizational culture to human organisms. Our bodies are programmed to protect us from harm. Infection is met with an assault of white blood cells. Pepper in our nose triggers sneezes. Bad sushi is met with…. well, you know. Friedman draws a parallel with organizational culture and declares that leaders that must serve as the immune systems of their organizations.