UGBA 10: SUCCESSFUL HABITS OF
VISIONARY COMPANIES
Is the critical issue for a company whether the company has the "right" or "likable" core ideology? If not,
what does matter? - correct answer No; what matters is that the company HAS a core ideology that gives
guidance and inspiration to people inside that company
How can people be sure that the core ideologies of these visionary companies are more than just a
bunch of nice-sounding platitudes? - correct answer 1. Social psychology research strongly indicates that
when people publicly espouse a particular point of view, they are much more likely to behave
consistently with that point of view even if they did not previously hold that point of view. 2. Visionary
companies don't merely declare an ideology, they also take steps to make the ideology pervasive
throughout the organization and transcend any individual leader
To what extent do visionary companies indoctrinate employees into a core ideology than the comparison
companies? - correct answer To the point that they are almost cult-like around the ideologies
What do visionary companies do more than the comparison companies (non-visionary)? - correct answer
1. They more thoroughly indoctrinate new employees into the core ideology. 2. They more carefully
nurtures and select senior management based on fit with a core ideology 2. They actin more consistent
alignment with a core ideology
The CEO of GE said that it was difficult to live with the tension between what and what, which made it
hard to maintain and live their ideologies? - correct answer Numbers and values
How did GE show to not have been in line with its ideologies? - correct answer Bid-rigging scheme with
several utility companies in the 1950s
How did P&G show to not be a perfect follower of its own "respect for the individual" ideology? - correct
answer They tried to seize Cincinnati phone records in an attempt to track down internal sources who
spoke to a WSJ reporter
VISIONARY COMPANIES
Is the critical issue for a company whether the company has the "right" or "likable" core ideology? If not,
what does matter? - correct answer No; what matters is that the company HAS a core ideology that gives
guidance and inspiration to people inside that company
How can people be sure that the core ideologies of these visionary companies are more than just a
bunch of nice-sounding platitudes? - correct answer 1. Social psychology research strongly indicates that
when people publicly espouse a particular point of view, they are much more likely to behave
consistently with that point of view even if they did not previously hold that point of view. 2. Visionary
companies don't merely declare an ideology, they also take steps to make the ideology pervasive
throughout the organization and transcend any individual leader
To what extent do visionary companies indoctrinate employees into a core ideology than the comparison
companies? - correct answer To the point that they are almost cult-like around the ideologies
What do visionary companies do more than the comparison companies (non-visionary)? - correct answer
1. They more thoroughly indoctrinate new employees into the core ideology. 2. They more carefully
nurtures and select senior management based on fit with a core ideology 2. They actin more consistent
alignment with a core ideology
The CEO of GE said that it was difficult to live with the tension between what and what, which made it
hard to maintain and live their ideologies? - correct answer Numbers and values
How did GE show to not have been in line with its ideologies? - correct answer Bid-rigging scheme with
several utility companies in the 1950s
How did P&G show to not be a perfect follower of its own "respect for the individual" ideology? - correct
answer They tried to seize Cincinnati phone records in an attempt to track down internal sources who
spoke to a WSJ reporter
