Modern Leadership in a Mid-Sized Company

  For this project, you are an organizational development (OD) professional for ABC Company, in the role of human resource strategist working across several lines of business. You are responsible to three business unit vice presidents as well as to the director of human resources in this matrixed organization. ABC is a mid-sized global company headquartered in the United States that outsources product manufacturing to facilities in Mexico and Vietnam. The company’s Board is composed of seven members, all located within the United States. The leadership team includes the chief executive officer (CEO), chief financial officer (CF0), and chief operating officer (COO). Both the director of technology and director of human resources report to the COO and are considered members of the leadership team but not in the executive ranks. Vice presidents lead the three primary business units and a director of shared services reports to the COO. Industry analysts recently released data on the top 10 competitors. ABC was listed at #10 overall but #50 on diversity and culture. You know that the industry leader has publicly stated a commitment to diversity and worked to build a company-wide culture of leadership. Pertinent data related to the low rating included: Board make-up: six men and one woman; all American citizens residing in the United States Leadership team make-up: four men and one woman; one ethnic minority, all American citizens residing in the United States Employee demographics: 60% men/40% women; median age 50; management roles 80% men/20% women; 40% of the workforce not American citizens. Immediately after the industry data were released, reporters contacted the ABC media relations department to get a statement about the undesirable diversity and culture rating. ABC executives want to better understand how the rating might affect the company’s reputation and impact its market position. The executives contacted the director of human resources to get some answers, so the HR director is bringing you into the discussion.