Which leader to follow? : sensemaking the messaging in a dual-owner organization /
Many workplaces have built in tools to assist employees in understanding the way their organization works. This process of sensemaking, or coming to understand the role and the way the organization works, stems from multiple messages. Some are tangible, like job descriptions to organizational hierar...
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| Format: | eBook |
| Language: | English |
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London :
SAGE Publications: SAGE Business Cases Originals,
2021.
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| Series: | SAGE Business Cases
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Connect to the full text of this electronic book |
| Summary: | Many workplaces have built in tools to assist employees in understanding the way their organization works. This process of sensemaking, or coming to understand the role and the way the organization works, stems from multiple messages. Some are tangible, like job descriptions to organizational hierarchy charts. Others are verbalized or practiced, such as training on standard operating procedures, conversations with co-workers, and directives about responsibilities and special assignments of projects from direct supervisors. Lastly, there are messages from the leadership of the organization (i.e., CEO, president of a company, HR director, owner or founder of a business) that provide employees with the bigger picture of understanding about the trajectory of the organization in a process called sensegiving, or the deliberate construction of messaging. Making sense of all these messages is difficult enough when an employee has one direct supervisor, leader, or owner. However, how can an employee understand their role if the organization has two leaders delivering two different messages? In this case, students will explore the communication challenges and workplace hurdles found in organizations run by equal-power owners deciding which direction to take their small business. When two authority figures with equal power give contrasting messaging, subordinates are left to try to navigate the difficult process of sensemaking, which includes knowing which leader to listen to and how to navigate their role. This additional dynamic brings confusion and can lead to dysfunctional workplace practices. |
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| Physical Description: | 1 online resource : illustrations. |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references and index. |
| ISBN: | 9781529767889 1529767881 |