Politics of Discovery Place

Organizational Politics

Harris, and Harvey (2007) write concerning employees withholding information, shifting blame for failures, and making others look bad as self-serving practices to further individual interests.

Such behaviors weaken the foundation of any system, creating cracks among coworkers which enforce feelings of mistrust.

Such an organization cannot function effectively to reach its goals when so many are acting in self-interest separate from the organizational focus.

Organizational Politics cont’d

In identifying the existence of politics, many employees indicate feelings of stress, ambiguity, and lack of loyalty to a system where such exists.

Workers look for situations where they feel valued in their contributions, recognized for their achievements, in an organization that supports their growth as individuals and members of the team.

Such support does not necessarily reflect monetary gains, but can also include the benefits associated with belonging to a team focused on a common goal to improve the effectiveness of the system.

Politics: Discovery Place Style

Employees of Discovery Place, Inc. enjoy an environment devoid of the interference of politics for a common goal.

There exist a feeling of camaraderie, one where workers enjoy their positions.

The employees of Discovery Place all feel valued in their contributions, as members of a team, and oftentimes are rewarded simply in the joy and wonder they see in their visitors.

Politics: Discovery Place Style cont’d

Furthermore, there is an embedded sense of belonging and support, as each member of the team learns the foundation of new exhibits.

In an organization based on the excitement and wonder of science through the eyes of children, every employee has their contribution heard.

Politics at the Top

While organizational politics can often affect the performance of individual employees, there is also a sense of politics between the day to day operations of the organization and the Board of Directors.

The mission of Discovery Place is to ignite wonder in the areas of science for children and adults alike. In the face of such a mission, employees can be conflicted with the Board’s implied stance of making the organization a profitable enterprise.

Politics at the Top cont’d

This conflict between business and education can often create friction in less successful systems, but Discovery Place has created an atmosphere whereby day to day operations create the opportunities to continue their educational mission.

Effective marketing of the dynamic product provided to consumers, especially children, ensures viability of the mission, while the team atmosphere successfully brings that mission to life.

Politics of Raising Funds

As the organization works to expand operations into surrounding areas, it works within the political framework of establishing itself in new communities.

Such operations require finding new funding sources, negotiating with governing bodies and real estate owners, and finally designing a facility to bring science to life.

Politics of Raising Funds cont’d

While much of the fundraising works with philanthropic organizations, even these contributors expect a return for their investment.

This creates a level of implied pressure sometimes at odds with the mission at hand.

However, as apparent in the successful establishment of the Huntersville extension, and the impending project in Rockingham, the team’s belief in its mission drives the difficulties associated with political negotiations to a distant second in priorities.

Symbolism

Symbolism, as it pertains to companies, is related to the ready perception the consumers have regarding the company.

Discovery Place and Symbolism

Symbolism in relation to Discovery Place is likened to the anatomy of skin.

There are three layers of skin – epidermis, dermis, and sub cutis.

It is the outside layer that everyone can see.

Epidermis

Symbolism and Triangulation

In connection to Discovery Place, the triangulation serves as the outside presentation that everyone can see.

Discovery Place holds the triangulation dear. It illustrates the entire philosophy of discovery

place by standing for multiple pathways that reveal the same result.

Trapezoid Triangle

The company bases some of its culture around respecting the pathway to knowledge.

The symbol seen outside their building and on their business card, their logo, if is a blue open trapezoid which closes to form a triangle.

Trapezoid Triangle cont’d

Common knowledge leads us to understand there are many ways to derive to the same conclusion.

There is no direct and correct way. Discovery has built the surface of their company culture surrounding this concept.

The Dermis

The Dermis

The dermis contains the blood vessels, lymph vessels, hair follicles, sweat glands, collagen bundles, etc. They are all intricate parts of the skin held together by collagen.

This layer of skin provides the flexibility and strength.

It is also the location for pain and touch receptors. This layer allows us to connect to our environment,

and is included in the balance of how we live our lives.

The Dermis cont’d

It is also the location for pain and touch receptors.

This layer allows us to connect to our environment, and is included in the balance of how we live our lives.

It is much like the symbolism of community interaction for Discovery Place.

A Communal Philosophy

Discovery place is heavily involved in the community and more so in the area of academics.

They are heavily involved in the “Race to the Top”. Each activity in Discovery Place is carefully thought

out and designed to fit the needs of students in the community.

They are means to assist the students in participating in the triangulation theory.

Using Science as their vehicle, Discovery Place connects with the school system and other organizations to create, what Dr. Corbin calls a community portfolio.

A Communal Philosophy cont’d

They are connected with downtown Charlotte to assist in the conduction of community festivals, Democratic National Convention, etc.

Discovery Place thinks of its community when they conduct their budget. Included in their budget is enough money for underprivileged students to also be able to explore Discovery Place.

Discovery is also always working with the school system on Science improvement.

A Portfolio View

Discovery Place’s portfolio does not only consist of schools and politics. It also consists of scientists.

Scientists seek out Discovery Place to gain their stamp of approval.

Currently in progress, a scientist is in the process of taking a regular brown field to produce fruits and vegetables by first treating the soil.

Youth and healthy food options, as with any other institution in this time period, are a topic of interest for Discovery

Sub Cutis

The Cutis

The last layer of skin is the sub cutis. This is the deepest layer of the skin. The sub cutis consists of a network of

collagen and fat cells that help conserve the body’s heat.

It protects the body from injury by acting as a shock absorbent.

The Cutis cont’d

It is the part of the body that keeps everything together.

In some senses, it is the reason for safety and stability.

In so many ways this describes the last characteristic of Discovery Place symbolism ---wonder.

“Wonder”

The width and depth of the word concerning Discovery Place took on so many different meanings.

They preserve the atmosphere that promotes healthy uncertainty. From day-to-day a consumer will never know what will happen in Discovery Place.

This does not only extend to the consumer, but it is also an understanding for the staff as well.

Staff members are encouraged to think as far as their minds can take them.

“Wonder” cont’d

During interviews, candidates are screened regarding their creativity and willingness to learn.

Examples of frontline staff members being hired with a theatric background, in some sense, spelled out the wonder component.

How can an actress work as a guide? How does this help the company? How is this in alignment with wonder?

The particular candidate in question spends hours studying the history of some of the exhibits being shown and performs in character to the consumers based on his/her knowledge.

“Wonder” cont’d Wonder continues in Discovery Place by training through

emersion. As new exhibits come to the building, the theme of that exhibit is

used to assist the staff in understanding the exhibit. During the trainings, trainers will go to the extreme extent to

ensure their frontline staff understands the culture and importance of the exhibit.

Their philosophy is centered on engagement. So, to promote wonder and engagement, sometimes trainers and participants are encouraged to act in character with costumes and the use of interactive technology.