Is it correct to Save your own Skin at the Cost of the Organization

It is indeed suprising how organizations under the garb of competition transforms into an working environment which has dogs eat dogs as the major thrust area for all endeavours.However,this behaviour gradually metamorphoses into a bane for the organization as it leads to a feeling of insecurity within the rank and file of the company, culminating in everyone irrespective of their level and domains start to protect their own skin at the cost of the organization.Infact a rank outsider after observing these phenomena is surprised as all and sundry are always on their toes not to put their best foot forward, but to protect themselves from being fired due to one reason or the other.Such type of organizations are always in the look out for scapegoats so as to save themselves from their own mistake.The culture also alters from that of growth and development to that of fault finding where pointing fingers happens to be the order of the day.The employees working in such a set up initially may try to be ethically correct with an open and learning approach, but, over a period of time, the environmental influencers results in changing and adopting the protect your skin approach.Every one is trying to pass on the buck, accountability is the last word in the lexicon of the employees and all their positive characteristcs and behaviours goes for a toss.Knowing the developments very well, none is willing to be the whistle blower fearing backlash and being targeted.This continuous approach of fault finding across the length and breadth of the organizations impacts the overall creativity and innovation as most of the discussion and activities hovers around protect your skin at the cost of others.

Caterpillars in an Organization!

Are there caterpillars in an organization?Caterpillar is one which crawls and feed on leaves, insects etc. till they reach the next stage of their life-cycle. Organizational caterpillars are little different and have characteristics, which includes genotypic and phenotypic traits of a chameleon, a squirrel, a fox, apart from certain features of the caterpillar itself. They would always crawl in the organization, i.e. present a slow and low attitude, often adding sugar coated approach, be it presenting their opinion or take any stance. They would often be too courteous in presenting themselves amongst their peers, would be the ideal candidate to don the role of the organizational mole,changes colours like they change their clothes, would try to crawl to the closest level possible...as far as the relationship with the senior is concerned,go out of the way to gather information, spice up and present customized stuffs which are soothing to the superior's ears.They exude fake confidence to the superior,as they know, 'Yes to everything' approach pays very well as the right impression is created on the next person's mind.They however, lack the balancing approach needed and often heavily towards the superior. The crawling nature, keeps them in abeyance and protects them getting caught by their peers!They will always present a broad smile, often talk to a person by coming in close proximity, would extend small helps when a person is in dire need, gain their confidence so that they can dissiminate information crucial for his role and survival.Unlike caterpillars, they dont feed on leaves and insects, their staple diet consists of organziation's scoop which are then tailor made by the caterpillar himself/herself. They would present the information often in a sly manner, so that the person to whom it is presented do not realize that its a complaint and more than that he/she makes the right platform to leverage the same in future.