Leaders have a responsibility to unite people around a common sense of purpose by communicating the organization’s vision, mission, and values (Daft, 2021, p. 613). This purpose-driven communication then persuades or influences others to accomplish those shared goals.
During times of significant macroeconomic change, such as the 2008 recession and the 2020 global pandemic, employees become increasingly anxious about organizational news and rumors. They typically think the worst about job security and their future. This period is when leaders need to ensure they control the messaging and unite employees around the corporate mission while ensuring data privacy both in-house and with the public.
Scenario: Choose a company from the following:
Coca-Cola® (acquiring a competitor’s coffee beverage business)
Subaru® (acquiring a competitor’s sports vehicle division)
Pepsi® (acquiring a new food delivery business)
Target® (acquiring a grocer’s pre-prepared foods business)
Fictitious scenario: A recently acquired division of a competing company of the company you chose is now undergoing major organizational restructuring. Existing employees in the acquiring company and the acquired division employees are uneasy. As the VP of communications, you are tasked with designing a training program to help managers become better communicators of the company’s vision and mission. The plan must include both horizontal and vertical communication best practices.
Please include the following:
Research the company’s vision and mission (also referred to as the purpose) which can be found on their corporate website in the “About Us” section or possibly in their annual report to stockholders. What will your plan be to train managers on how to communicate the mission and vision.
What horizontal and vertical communications best particles will you include?
Incorporate key concepts from Chapter 17 into your plan, including influencing others, open climates, questioning, nonverbal communication, channel richness, and candor.