For the past two months, I am observing my daily life more carefully and came to a few conclusions that might be beneficial for creating an efficient organizational culture.
As the observation relies on my real life of mine, the research might be strongly biased and is not meant to be considered scientific but rather a cultural fun fact.
Speed
The time we need to create a relationship vastly depends on circumstances and can be shortened. One of the ways is to enter into a love-hate relationship with your university colleague. Usually, it takes time to go from "you're perfect status" to "You are sick" status and create a healthy relationship. We can make it faster by starting from hate and flawlessly continuing building the relationship, maybe in a bit anxious manner, but fast enough not to spot it.
Meaning
A frenemy relationship can be considered toxic and in fact, is toxic. We should not carry it nor meet those people again. Nonetheless, many of us do. As time passes by, the toxic fundament is surrounded by positive events that are happening along the way. This is a moment we start to attach the meaning and the bond between us is created.
Result
We have a love-hate relationship in our environment. Nothing special as most people are just complex creatures, that need context to get to know good. That is why we get to accept the dark side of our frenemy and come along with it to our daily routines.
Effect on health
It is scientifically proven that frenemies have a significantly more severe influence on our anxiety and self-being than real enemies or real friends. It is because they know more about us, yet we can't trust them enough to feel safe. We do not know what to expect and how they will behave this time.
This constant feeling of insecurity increases blood pressure and activates the bio-chemical process that negatively influences our DNA.
Concretely it shortens telomeres which decreases the resistance against cells becoming cancerous.
#O organizational Culture Tip
To build an innovative environment you need to create a safe space and protect the team from frenemies.
C caring and loving environment are highly beneficial for efficiency as it increases the sense of belonging.
I would risk a hypothesis that people of Z gen, would be more interested in participating in a long-term project even with lower wages only because they would feel safe and loved.
In terms of managerial positions, I have nothing but to refer to Steve Jobs and repeat it: The best managers are those who don't want to be managers. Those are the engineers, the designers, and the specialists, that can share knowledge and help in the learning process.
I find a place for professional managers only in the strategic positions of the highest level.
From my experience, I can say that the CEO must be a highly conscious and loving person. He must have a private life in place before starting the position. It's because h only responsibility is to create an organizational culture, which is his own culture extended to the company's rules.
The singing ensemble solidifies the group.
Consistent terminology among the team members is key.
Different backgrounds people can work together but can't create an unbeatable team.
We have a mechanism to keep our frenemies closer than the people we really like, do not fall into this trap.
Get the balance between what enhances the culture, what solidifies it, and what needs to be delivered to be competitive in the market.
Sources:
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20141119-why-you-love-to-hate-some-friends