Organizational meteorology

Practising managers, particularly those in charge of large numbers of people in one work unit, such as a factory or a department store, are accustomed to talk about ‘morale’ as an important aspect of their work. It is often held to be the thing that makes the difference between high and low productivity. A manager who can create this sense of belonging and commitment among his staff tends to be highly valued, and visiting superiors often develop sensitive antennae for detecting the ‘atmosphere’ in a work situation — expressed in the way people behave towards each other, to their bosses, to customers, and in the attitude with which they carry out the basic operations of their work.