Paula Vsquez Henrquez

Case Study: Southern Tel

After Chet Rivera, CEO at Southern Tel, made a presentation about the company's progress he
proceeded to make a clear statement about the vision he wanted and the profile of worker he
wanted in his company. This vision, though determined and progress-oriented, was perceived as
very aggressive and shocking for the time. As time passed, the business environments got used to
this kind of attitude so for our time this type of speech would be perceived as less shocking and
more motivational, rather than an awakening call. I think he made this is statements in order to
shake people who seem to be stuck in maintaining a status quo in the company rather than
reaching for progress. He didn't want to settle with just numbers, he didn't want the easy way of
staying comfortable in just satisfying stockholders and gaining some profit, he wanted to make the
company the best it could be, he wanted to make new records, he wanted to make a new path
and be as top as possible. For my taste, this kind of speech needs to be matched with more
inspirational and inviting words so as not to be perceived as an ultimatum, which is the way he
presents his discourse. I don't believe threatening will help get the most out of the people, maybe
a more stimulating discourse would be more appealing and eventually people that are not aligned
with the vision would step away from this path. It needs to be a little of both approaches, inviting
new and visionary people but also stimulating the people who have been around the company for
a while, for its them who have the experience and knowledge. For me, I wouldn't like to work in an
atmosphere that seeks for progress through a menacing speech, I don't think that's what would
keep me motivating into doing my best work.