Page 22 - Here and Now – Apr 2024

misalignment is not just a superficial flaw; it strikes at the heart of an organization's overall
effectiveness and mission.

The discord between espoused and practiced values erodes the foundational trust and morale

within the organization. It breeds a culture of scepticism and disillusionment among the
workforce, particularly volunteers, who are typically driven by a strong sense of mission and
personal commitment to the cause. When volunteers perceive a gap between the organization's
proclaimed values of accountability and its actions, it can lead to deep-seated emotional
frictions. These frictions often manifest as feelings of betrayal, frustration, and disillusionment.
The consequence is a weakening of the very fabric of voluntarism, characterized by a decline in
proactive engagement, innovation, and the collaborative spirit necessary for addressing
complex social challenges that the organization faces.

Needs

Differences also occur due to the another fundamental unit of difference - our needs.
Differences in individual needs significantly influence the dynamics of conflict within
organizations. These needs, ranging from basic physiological necessities to complex
psychological desires for recognition and self-actualization, serve as another area of difference
among individuals. The extent to which these needs are met or unmet plays a crucial role in
determining the likelihood of differences arising, particularly in organizational contexts where
individuals may unconsciously seek fulfilment of these needs through their roles and
interactions. This is more so in non-profits, where the tendency to focus upon and adhere to

the policies, procedures, structural and systemic infrastructure is far less than in state or
corporate organizations. Need fulfilment often becomes unconsciously competitive and the
unconscious pursuit of these needs through organizational channels adds another layer of
complexity to the dynamics of differences.

Dealing with differences

1) Arresting Virtue Signalling : Voluntarism being a progeny of Will, often it is seen that a
lot of ideological exhibitionism happens at the deeper and unseen levels. On the surface
it manifest as 'virtue signalling' - the public expression of opinions or view-points at the
drop of hat with intention to demonstrate one's high character or lofty social conscience

or moral correctness of one's position on a particular issue.

The poisonous effect of virtue signalling lies in its capacity to polarize and segment members.
By emphasizing a performative display of morality or social consciousness, it can inadvertently
set unrealistic standards of thought and behaviour. This not only alienates those who might not
express their virtues as loudly or publicly, but also fosters an environment where the

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