Organizational Commitment & Communication

Organizational Commitment and Communication

Frances E. LeClair

COM/530

March 28, 2011

Kirby Thornton

Organizational Commitment and Communication

Disney is a name that has been around for a number of years. The Disney Company was founded in 1923 by Walt Disney. Disney has grown to be a organization that spans across the continents, serves many customers, and has a vast workforce. The Disney mission is “To Make People Happy” (The Walt Disney Company, 2011). This mission is not only meant for customers but also for the employees. Ensuring the goal of making people happy is obtained, takes special leadership qualities and good communications within the organization. Walt Disney himself set a high standard for the quality of leadership needed at the Disney Company. The leaders of Disney must be able to motivate employees, use their leadership power in a positive manner, and encourage communication throughout the different cultures of the organization.

What kind of leader would Disney want to attract and retain? Walt Disney set the foundation for the leadership qualities the company could build up and improve. Some would probably say Walt Disney was a charismatic type of leader and a great business man. He was a very creative man with many outlandish ideas, and he was able to bring to his creativity to life through cartoons and theme parks. People wanted to be like him and he loved and respected those he lead. He listened to others ideas and others listened to almost everything he had to say, but ignored his somewhat racist references. He sought out talent that would help the organization succeed and empowered his employees to make customers happy. “Walt Disney routinely ‘walked the studio,’ talking to his employees and learning what they were passionate about” (Trahan, 2009). Today some of Walt’s leadership tactics would not be as charismatic as they were in the 1920’s and 30’s. Times and values change through the years, so must leadership...