Biggest Challenges Faced By An Independent Anthropologist And Corporate Historian
Laurie's biggest challenge as an anthropologist and corporate historian is navigating the "politics" inherent in every organization, describing it as "very much like a small village" with "power struggles" and unspoken dynamics. Successfully completing assignments requires understanding these complexities and carefully choosing "what to say, learning what not to say," as this is equally important as the work itself.
Anthropology, Organizational Politics, Communication Skills, Cultural Awareness, Qualitative Research
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Job Title
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Undergrad
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Laurie Levin
Anthropologist and Corporate Historian
Independent Consultant
UC Berkeley; Harvard University; UCLA, 1972
Harvard/MA and UCLA abd
Anthropology, Sociology
Healthcare, Medical & Wellness
Creative
Disabled, First Generation College Student
Video Highlights
1. Understanding organizational politics and power dynamics is crucial for success.
2. Effective communication and knowing what to say and what not to say are essential skills.
3. Anthropological skills, such as observing and interpreting social dynamics, are highly valuable in this role.
Transcript
What is your biggest challenge in your current role?
Every project I'm on requires me to, well, this is where my anthropology comes in, to suss out the politics of a particular organization and the people who hold important roles. I need to learn how to navigate that and be aware that all organizations are political.
They are very much like a small village with personalities, gossip, and unspoken issues. There are power struggles, and all of this is in the background of what I actually have to do for my assignment.
This is challenging. Not stepping on anyone's toes and learning what to say and what not to say is as important as getting the work done.
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