# Organizational Mythology By:: [[Ross Jackson]] 2023-08-21 Myths are stories used to explain the world and the role of humans. We learn the myths associated with Heracles, Aphrodite, Medusa, Prometheus, and Oedipus in school. These characters and their stories inform our understanding of antiquity and shape our views of humanity. Not all mythologies are ancient. Mythology persists in organizations. Within organizations, mythologies tend to focus on a few elements. Almost all organizations have a creation myth. This myth tends to focus on who created the company, how it was created, and why. The purpose of the creation myth is to provide context for those new to the organization and form a point of connection among the workforce. Another common organizational myth relates to overcoming a crisis. In this myth, a “do or die” moment was confronted by the organization. The situation tends to be unclear and risky. The workforce, under heroic leadership, came together and succeeded just when it was most essential. The myth of overcoming adversity is to allow people to see mundane problems in a different light and to let them know that the organization will continue to overcome such challenges. Organizational mythology persists because it serves a human need. Examining the stories, organizations reveal much of who they think they are. It would be interesting to compile organizational myths from antiquity and see what commonality exists. #### Related Items [[Myths]] [[Organization]] [[Storytelling]] [[The Human Condition]] [[Understanding]]