In a study that looked at hundreds of hospitals as well as a toy company, researchers found that leaders are prone to adopting ‘blurry visions’ of their organizations’ missions, using abstract language that offers no visual images around which employees can build a shared sense of purpose. The study, led by Andrew M. Carton of the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, also finds that leaders tend to adopt too many key values. Ideally, companies’ mission statements should contain image-evoking words and no more than four values, the researchers say.

(Source: Academy of Management Journal)

Published in Dawn, Economic & Business, February 23rd, 2015

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