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Please help. I am supposed to do a case study on a work-related fable. I dont know where to start.
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Please read the case study called "The Poorly Informed Walrus"

Prepare answers to the two questions at the end of the case. When answering the questions, reflect on your own communication styles and whether your style of communication is more effective or more efficient. In other words, are you more interested in the "what" of the messages or the "how" of the messages you communicate with others?

Please reflect on your listening skills, which are an integral part of the communication process as well when answering the questions.

Please see attachment.

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Solution Summary

As the description says this solution is a sample case study of the work fable of "The Poorly Informed Walrus". As a fable it teaches certain virtues and lessons that can be said to be of utmost importance in terms of leadership and management. The review/reflection is written in the APA format. A word version is attached for easy prinitng.

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The Poorly Informed Walrus

Developed by Barbara McCain, Oklahoma City University

"How's it going down there?" barked the big walrus from his perch on the highest rock near the shore. He waited for the good word. Down below, the smaller walruses conferred hastily among themselves. Things weren't going well at all, but none of them wanted to break the news to the Old Man. He was the biggest and wisest walrus in the herd, and he knew his business, but he had such a terrible temper that every walrus in the herd was terrified of his ferocious bark.
"What will we tell him?" whispered Basil, the second-ranking walrus. He well remembers how the Old Man had raved and ranted at him the last time the herd had caught less than its quota of herring, and he had no desire to go through that experience again. Nevertheless, the walrus noticed for several weeks that the water level in the nearby Arctic bay had been falling constantly, and it had become necessary to travel much farther to catch the dwindling supply of herring. Someone should tell the Old Man; he would probably know what to do. But who? And how?
Finally Basil spoke up: "Things are going pretty well, Chief," he said. The thought of the receding water line made his heart grow heavy, but he went on: "As a matter of fact, the beach seems to be getting larger."
The Old Man grunted. "Fine, fine," he said. "That will give us a bit more elbow room." He closed his eyes and continued basking in the sun.
The next day brought more trouble. A new herd of walruses moved in down the beach and, with the supply of herring dwindling, this invasion could be dangerous. No one wanted to tell the Old Man, though only he could take the steps necessary to meet this new competition.
Reluctantly, Basil approached the big walrus, who was still sunning himself on the large rock. After some small talk, he said, "Oh, by the way, Chief, a new herd of walruses seems to have moved into our territory." The Old Man's eyes snapped open, and he filled his great lungs in preparation for a mighty bellow. But Basil added quickly, "Of course, we don't anticipate any trouble. They don't look like herring eaters to me. More likely interested in minnows. And ...

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  • MA, Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
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