Certified Disability Management Specialist (CDMS) Practice Exam

Organizational culture can be best described as an organization's personality because it encompasses the shared values, beliefs, behaviors, and norms that define how members of the organization interact with each other and with stakeholders outside the organization. This culture shapes the work environment and influences how employees feel about their jobs, the organization, and each other.

Just as a person's personality encompasses their unique traits and styles of interaction, organizational culture reflects the distinct characteristics of an organization. It is this set of shared experiences and assumptions that creates an environment in which people work and collaborate, guiding their actions and decisions.

The other options do not capture the essence of organizational culture as effectively. For example, while the structure of an organization defines its framework and hierarchy, it doesn't account for the underlying values and interactions that comprise its culture. Similarly, an organization's mission statement articulates its goals and purpose but does not represent the day-to-day behaviors and shared experiences that constitute the culture. Lastly, policies may govern specific operational practices, but they do not necessarily reflect the deeper, collective ethos of the organization.