Chapter 01 - Communicating in the Workplace
Skills Building Exercises
1. Using the Internet, find a company that has a corporate social responsibility program and
study what the company’s website says about that program. What kind of image as a
corporate citizen is the company trying to project, and how? How convincing is this effort,
in your opinion, and why? (LO2)
2. Choose a certain national or regional culture, ethnicity, or generation—one different from
your own—and find out what values the people in this demographic are generally known
for. How might working or doing business with a person from one of these groups require
you to adapt your own values and communication style? (LO2)
3. Find two websites of companies in the same industry—for example, two manufacturers of
household products or two wireless service providers. Using the evidence presented on their
websites, compare their company cultures. Look at their stated mission (if any), their
history (if provided), the gender and qualifications of their personnel (if given), their
employee benefits, their information for job applicants, their information for investors, the
company image projected by the visual elements on the site—anything that suggests who
they are or want you to think they are. Write up your comparison in a well-organized,
well-supported message to your instructor. (LO5)
4. Megan Cabot is one of 12 workers in Department X. She has strong leadership qualities,
and all her coworkers look up to her. She dominates conversations with them and expresses
strong viewpoints on most matters. Although she is a good worker, her dominating
personality has caused problems for you, the new manager of Department X. Today you
directed your subordinates to change a certain work procedure. The change is one that has
proven superior whenever it has been tried. Soon after giving the directive, you noticed the
workers talking in a group, with Megan the obvious leader. In a few minutes she appeared
in your office. “We’ve thought it over,” she said. “Your production change won’t work.”
Explain what is happening. How will you handle this situation? (LO4, LO6)
Obviously, Megan has exercised her strong communication skills to influence her coworkers to
accept her views. Probably they recognize her as their informal leader. The situation is difficult
and has no one best solution. Thus, each student’s analysis must be judged on its merits.
