Reflection #5: Update on Organizational Culture

After my first week at Simpson Scarborough, I wrote my first blog post about the organizational culture of the company. I described how the office was quite laid-back, friendly, and fun, with ping pong tournaments, happy hours, and cooking competitions. After my fifth week at Simpson Scarborough, however, I wanted to write a post as an update to my original thoughts about the company’s culture. Like any organization, Simpson Scarborough’s culture is more complex than it seems at the surface. When I first arrived, the employees were quick to point out the fun amenities at the office. While the work was always at the forefront, they really emphasized the fun activities that also take place at the office. These activities, of course, are still in place today, but I have noticed an interesting shift in attitude in the office. Perhaps this shift is due to the excitement of new interns wearing off, or perhaps I have just become more perceptive of the office culture. Whatever the case, one thing is for sure: the office and the employees who work there are far more serious, intense, quiet, and work-oriented than they describe themselves. This, of course, is not a bad thing. That’s not what I am trying to point out in this post. What I find interesting is the distance between how the employees at Simpson Scarborough describe themselves to outsiders and how they actually act during a normal work day. The fun activities still happen, but only when explicitly scheduled. There are no impromptu ping pong sessions, etc. There seems to be some kind of unspoken agreement: these things are for show. I have not fully uncovered why this discrepancy exists, but it is something I will continue to observe and consider. I wonder if the organization would have a more successful culture if they were more honest about how the office operates, or if they hired people who fit the laid-back, fun vibe they seem to be striving for.