Imagine that you are in charge of creating a protocol for effective group communication within your organization. Access the “Group Communication Simulation” document and read it. In 750 words, compos

Imagine that you are in charge of creating a protocol for effective group communication within your organization. Access the “Group Communication Simulation” document and read it. In 750 words, compos 1

COM-500 Topics 4 and 5 Effective Group Communication Scenario

The Lead Group is a non-profit organization that provides services to individuals with developmental disabilities in residential group homes and vocational job training programs. The CEO and founder of the Lead Group is Terrance Jones. The Senior Leadership team consists of Sarah Jones, Terrance’s wife and the Operations Director; Fred Williams, the Financial Director; Melissa Jensen, the Human Resources Director; Gladys Benson, Quality Assurance Director; and Ahmad Fez, the Assistant Human Resources Director.

Background Information

Terrance founded the Lead Group 35 years ago and is gradually reaching retirement age. Terrance has a short tolerance for unnecessary information and has been known to tell his subordinates to “get to the point” or more specifically to come to him, “with a solution, or don’t bother coming at all.” However, Terrance also delegates much of the day-to-day operations to Melissa, Sarah, and Gladys.

Sarah Jones also has been with the Lead Group for 35 years, founding the company with her husband Terrance. Sarah is very optimistic and cheerful by nature. However, Sarah also has a tendency to ramble and has a hard time making succinct points. Sarah tries to be very inclusive and is very calculated in making decisions.

Fred Williams has been with the Lead Group for 20 years and is very cautious of the financial state of the Lead Group. Fred is very loyal to Terrance and generally agrees with Terrance in meetings when decisions are made. Fred is very friendly and welcoming to other members of the Executive Team, but is viewed by others at lower organizational levels as being cold and arrogant.

Melissa Jensen has been with the Lead Group for 30 years and is also very loyal to Terrance. Melissa tends to be the mouthpiece for Terrance when he wants certain pieces of information. Melissa is generally seen as nice and friendly, but has a very short temper when she feels she is being disrespected. Thus, Melissa is viewed by many of the caregivers as being rude and disinterested in their needs.

Gladys Benson has been with the Lead Group for 5 years. Despite being a relative newcomer to the organization, Gladys has risen very far in the organization, largely due to her efficiency. Gladys is very task-oriented and does not spend much time making small talk or socializing with others in the organization. Consequently, Gladys is seen as very cold and rude by other members of the organization, including Melissa and Ahmad.

Ahmad Fez has been with the Lead Group for 10 years and has worked under Melissa since his first day in Human Resources. Ahmad is very loyal to Melissa and tends to support her in suggestions she makes. In contrast to Melissa, Ahmad is seen as very open and is someone many of the caregivers try to meet with when trying to resolve an issue. Ahmad tends to speak his mind freely, yet is very deferential to authority and is very calculated when dealing with Terrance especially.

The Case

The Lead Group has been experiencing financial difficulties because of shrinking funding from federal and state government. As a result, Terrance Jones has convened a meeting with the Senior Leadership team to discuss making a 10% budget cut (roughly $500,000). The Senior Leadership team has been notified of the meeting from Terrance.

The Meeting:

Terrance: Alright, let’s get started, we all know why we’re here. As we know, we’ve been seeing reduced funding for a while, and Fred is proposing a 10%—

Sarah: I can’t believe the funding has gone down—

Terrance: Sarah! Don’t interrupt me; we don’t have time for your social commentary today. As I was saying, Fred is proposing a 10% cut and I agree. So, what do we do?

Melissa: Well, I think we could look at some reduction in benefits.

Terrance: Melissa, I need more than just generalities! What benefits and how much?

Ahmad: We had talked about eliminating all paid holidays. 12 in total. I’m not sure what the final figure would be.

Gladys: I think we should do more than that. Our caregivers are lazy. I can count on one hand the number of good employees we have.

Melissa: Hey, we’re trying, okay? It’s not easy to find a lot of great people who will work for $9.00 an hour.

Fred: Well, they know what they’re signing up for when they’re hired.

Sarah: I think we have more good employees than that.

Terrance: Sarah, what did I tell you about your commentary? Now for the group, what are your specific action steps?

Fred: I like what Melissa and Ahmad are proposing about eliminating paid holidays. That’s a start.

Ahmad: Well hopefully that’s where it ends, or the morale around here is going to get even worse.

Gladys: It’s their own fault.

Melissa: They’re not all bad, Gladys! Anytime you want to be responsible for the hiring come on over.

Sarah: I can see that we’re all stressed a bit here.

Terrance: Sarah, for once, you’re actually making some sense. Everybody take the rest of the day to think of specific ways to make up the 10% shortfall. We’ll meet back here tomorrow morning first thing at 9:00 a.m.

Follow-Up

Melissa and Ahmad

After the tense meeting in Terrance’s office, Melissa comes into Ahmad’s office.

Melissa: Well that was worth the price of admission!

Ahmad: Yeah. No kidding. Can you believe Gladys? She sure has it out for the employees!

Melissa: I don’t understand her. What’s more is that Terrance seems to listen to her more than the rest of us.

Ahmad: I’m not sure what we should do from here. I just don’t understand what I’m supposed to do sometimes.

Melissa: Well, just do whatever you want. We’ve been around 35 years, probably be around 35 more.

Ahmad: I wonder what Terrance wants? I have no idea what to propose to make up the budget shortfall.

Melissa: Well, why don’t you think about it and let me know what you come up with?

Ahmad: Me?

Melissa: Well, I’m the boss! Now, if I don’t get out of here, I’m going to be late for my appointment at the spa!

Fred and Eric

After the meeting, Fred goes back into his office to decompress. No sooner does he sit down, than Eric Weston, the Accounts Payable Clerk comes in.

Eric: Hi Fred, do you have a minute?

Fred: I have one minute, and one minute only. What is it?

Eric: You know that software issue we were having with vendor payments? I’ve tried researching a solution, and think we need to contact the software provider to get some help.

Fred: It took you that long to figure that out? You need to call the software provider and get someone out here now! I can’t believe this hasn’t been done. If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself.

Eric: Okay.

Just then, Ahmad walks by.

Fred: Hey Ahmad, what’s going on? Why don’t you come in for a minute? Back to work Eric.

Terrance, Sarah, and Gladys

After the meeting, Gladys comes into Terrance’s office.

Terrance: I don’t understand what’s wrong with Sarah. I get so tired of her sometimes. We have problems to solve!

Gladys: Well, it’s not just her. The way that Melissa defends the employees, I can’t stand it.

Terrance: That’s her job. She’s been at it a long time.

Just then, Sarah opens the door.

Sarah: Terrance, we still need to discuss that grant I mentioned to you.

Terrance: What grant? You didn’t say anything about it.

Sarah: Sure I did! It’s the one from the Humanities Council that could really help offset some operating costs.

Terrance: You didn’t say anything about it. Talk to Melissa and figure it out.

Sarah: Well I don’t think Melissa knows much—

Terrance: Sarah! Talk to Melissa.

Sarah turns and leaves.