Second Organizational Observation

My classmates and I conducted our second observation yesterday and interviewed the manager of the organization. He generously gave of his time to sit with us and discuss a variety of topics. Knowing that he was apprehensive at first about us visiting at all, we met ahead of the observation time to strategize. As a group, we determined it was important to continue building rapport to put the manager at ease and open the door for more in depth questions.

We opened our visit by thanking the manager for arranging our last visitation time and tour. We also expressed how impressed we were with the business and the friendliness of the staff. It seemed that once we explained our intention – aspiring educational leaders hoping to glean important lessons from business – the manager relaxed and opened up quite readily. He shared his own journey to becoming a full-time employee with the fitness club and how he moved up into a management position in a fairly short amount of time.

Beyond learning about the manager’s experience, we were able to delve deeper into the culture of the organization, changes that have taken place within the ownership and structure over the years, as well as the vision/motto of the organization at this time. One key finding, which we had sensed as observers, is that the organization aims to distinguish itself from its competitors by offering a warm environment that is not present at other similar organizations. While we did not learn of many “ceremonies” per se, we did hear about a fund-raising event that the organization sponsors each year. We also learned about the ways in which new employees are brought into the fold of the business.

As I have begun outlining my observation notes to compare and contrast what I have seen with what I know in my own organization, I have identified far more similarities than I anticipated finding. First, I have found a strong connection between our missions to improve the lives of those we serve. Second, I see how personnel structures are closely aligned between the organizations. Finally, I identified a trend in both organizations to counsel the “customer” to see the benefits available, and, in a sense, to “sell” our services in a similar manner.

I realize that it will take time to reflect on this last interview/observation and draw more comparisons with my own organization. For now, I am intrigued by the opportunity to further examine the system of which I am a part by taking an outsider’s perspective.