Procedure: Read the following excerpt from an e$-$mail message sent by a CEO to $400$ company managers at a high$-$tech company called Cerner.

$"$We are getting less than $40$ hours of work from a large number of our K$.$C$.-$based EMPLOYEES. The parking lot is sparsely used at $8$ A$.$M$.$; likewise at $5$ P$.$M$.$ As managers $-$ you either do not know what your EMPLOYEES are doing; or you do not CARE. You have created expectations on the work effort that allowed this to happen inside Cerner, creating a very unhealthy environment. In either case, you have a problem and you will fix it or I will replace you. NEVER in my career have I allowed a team that worked for me to think they had a $40-$hour job. I have allowed YOU to create a culture that is permitting this. NO LONGER."

The message goes on to list six potential consequences for not having the company$\_$parking lot mostly full at $7$:$30$ A$.$M$.$ and $6$:$30$ P$.$M$.$ on weekdays. It also sets a deadline of two weeks for managers to make changes.

Step $1$: Now assume the role of a manager receiving this communication as you answer these questions:

What do you think the CEO expected to achieve by sending this message? $($Apparently he wanted his managers to redouble their efforts in improving productivity.$)$ Do you agree with the CEO's focus on the parking lot as a reflection of work commitment and productivity? $($Answers will vary; In general, productivity will not increase just because more cars are in the lot and employees are at their desks for longer hours.$)$

Did you react with defensiveness or disconfirmation to this message? Explain your answer. $($Students are more likely to react with defensiveness because of the attacking tone of the message.$)$

In this situation, what effect do you thilk your reaction had on your ability to listen? $($Students will probably not be able to listen because they will be constructing a defense to this attack.$)$

Do you think this message conformed to the principles of supportive communication? Refer to specific attributes in your answer. $($Students may identify a number of principles that have been violated. For example, this is primarily person$-$oriented communication rather than problem$-$oriented communication. It is also evaluative rather than merely descriptive, and it invalidates rather than validates individuals.$)$