ABSTRACT
Successful leaders of change are wary of simple, mechanistic, step-by-step views of achieving change. This chapter presents a case study of the different cultural profiles of Italy and Australia and the family nature of the business made change both easier and more difficult. Harris Farm Markets is an Australian grocery chain that specializes in fruit, vegetables, delicatessen, and other grocery items. Catherine Harris was interviewed at the Harris Farm Markets' main premises in Sydney. A major problem was that running a business on more transparent lines ran counter to the cultural traditions of the employees, many of whom who had emigrated to Australia from Italy. Catherine's approach was to incorporate some 'Italian' aspects of the firm into her management style as a way of changing the way it ran. Italians respect and admire decision makers and leaders and accept their position in authority more than Australians do.
