An Ideology to Remember
People live for fulfillment. They find security in believing in something greater than themselves. The things that people often live for are not attainable, they are legends, dreams, fantasies,missions, promises, themes. Our dreams and fantasies keep us going, if we do not have dreams we would grow tired and cynical. . .
Politicians unite people around certain themes, religions unite people around promises and ideologies, and the military unites people around a mission.
Generally, ideologies develop around a certain culture and exist as a goal, attainable only in theory in which most members of the society strive for. People align themselves with this ideology, often adopting it as part of their identity. I am a "Christian, a Republican, an Intellectual, I am a Soldier." The members of these groups believe their ideologies righteous and often are gladly willing to make personal sacrifices to promote the ideology that they support. The ideology can also become co-mingled with the person's ego; "I am an intellectual" , "I am an activist", "I am going to heaven." Ideologies that have lasted become culture blurring the fine line between custom and theory.
I have begun to notice that at IBM we have no such ideology, no mission, no unifying theme. This is ironic because at IBM we have a strong sense of culture and an identity. We are all IBMers. I set myself out to discover the IBM ideology, and found that the task was more difficult than I anticipated.
At IBM what unites us. . . ?
As we move forward as consultants and our business grows what are we marching towards?
It is impossible to unite a diverse group of people on any static topic (example: utilization); what will appeal to one group will alienate another. To unite a diverse group you must appeal to their mortality; the experiences that they share as humans. We are all mortals, we all know pain, fear and happiness. Our mission, if it is one that we will all walk towards together at IBM, must appeal to each person on a human level.
Politicians unite people around certain themes, religions unite people around promises and ideologies, and the military unites people around a mission.
Generally, ideologies develop around a certain culture and exist as a goal, attainable only in theory in which most members of the society strive for. People align themselves with this ideology, often adopting it as part of their identity. I am a "Christian, a Republican, an Intellectual, I am a Soldier." The members of these groups believe their ideologies righteous and often are gladly willing to make personal sacrifices to promote the ideology that they support. The ideology can also become co-mingled with the person's ego; "I am an intellectual" , "I am an activist", "I am going to heaven." Ideologies that have lasted become culture blurring the fine line between custom and theory.
I have begun to notice that at IBM we have no such ideology, no mission, no unifying theme. This is ironic because at IBM we have a strong sense of culture and an identity. We are all IBMers. I set myself out to discover the IBM ideology, and found that the task was more difficult than I anticipated.
At IBM what unites us. . . ?
As we move forward as consultants and our business grows what are we marching towards?
It is impossible to unite a diverse group of people on any static topic (example: utilization); what will appeal to one group will alienate another. To unite a diverse group you must appeal to their mortality; the experiences that they share as humans. We are all mortals, we all know pain, fear and happiness. Our mission, if it is one that we will all walk towards together at IBM, must appeal to each person on a human level.
posted by DC Transplant | 2:15 PM
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