Chapter 9: Communicating about Change

Drill Down Exercises

1.      List three typical reasons why change initiators resist “harvesting the dissent.” Provide a counterargument to each reason.

2.      Describe a situation when change was effectively communicated. Describe another situation when change was ineffectively communicated. What were the major differences between the two situations?

3.      Construct a dysfunctional dialogue between two co-workers discussing the company decision to move their office to another city. One employee is at the anger stage and the other at the acceptance stage. Point out the dysfunctions you illustrated in your dialogue. How would you correct them?

Deep Dive Study Questions

Changing plans video clip  Chapter 9 Clip

1.      The original communication plan involved sending out an e-mail. If the manager followed through on the original plan, what would have happened in the organization?

2.      Based on the meeting, identify the key audiences and their likely concerns.

3.      The manager is going to have another meeting. Based on the chapter, what would the agenda look like? Why?