Part of Lesson Plan: Organizational Chart Hierarchy

Activity Overview / Details

When something goes wrong, where is the finger pointed to?  I will take time to discuss how to take responsibility for your actions.  I will share with the class something that I have personally messed up, and had to admit my mistake, repercussions included.  We will share in the class about taking the blame or passing the buck. 

I will lecture on the current Toyota recall with gas pedal issues.  Someone messes up, everyone pointed the finger, up the organizational chart it went, and the CEO accepted the blame. ( Watch youtube video now).

  Leadership principles are examined and why an organizational chart was needed to find accountability.  We will look at two different organizational charts and discuss how each one is used.  Studenbts will get out their handout on the Disney vs. US Coast Guard corporate structure examples, and I will lead a brainstorming session on which organizational chart is easiest to trace to the "person responsible". 

I will have the students look first at the Disney handout.  I will pose the question, "A disgruntled employee at Disney tampered with Thunder Mountain roller coaster, it broke in mid-ride, people on the roller coaster died as a result. Who is to blame?" 

I will ask the questions to the students:

Is it the employee who didn't get promoted like he told he was going to be?

Is it the manager's fault for leading the employee on, stringing him along?

Is it the CEO's fault for not creating a safe atmosphere?

 We will compare and contrast the differences and decide as a group which one is most effective in a classroom setting with a group project. 

Question to ponder( possible extra credit for homework): Can you trust someone who has lied to you?