This Issues in Communication narrative is designed to provoke individual thought or discussion about key concepts raised in the chapter.

Kyle Gorton was one of the founders of a successful company, KyMo, which created virtual-reality software. Before the company was sold, Kyle often worked 18-hour days. He sold products, wrote business plans, handled the company’s finances, oversaw production, and was familiar with all aspects of the operation. While Kyle did most of the behind-the-scenes work, his cofounder, Morton Giamani, made presentations to trade shows and venture capitalists. Morton recruited potential employees, but Kyle interviewed them, and if they were hired, he often took them under his wing and became their mentor. Because he thought all his employees had valuable skills and ideas to contribute to the company, he frequently employed work teams. As a result, the employees of KyMo thought highly of him. However, because Morton was the one who was out meeting all the movers and shakers in the industry, the industry leaders believed that Morton was primarily responsible for the company’s success.

Now that the company has been sold, Kyle must decide what to do with his future. Although Kyle and Morton’s company was successful, Kyle doesn’t have the contacts in the industry that Morton has, so very few would associate his name with the company. Although Kyle knows he’s intelligent and hardworking, he finds himself comparing himself to Morton and doubting his own abilities. Kyle thinks, “Why couldn’t I have been more of a charismatic people-person like Morton? I should have spent more time writing articles, giving speeches, and rubbing shoulders with venture capitalists. But then again, I just don’t think I’m as good as Morton at that sort of thing. I have my strengths, and he has his. We were a great team. I don’t know why, but we really haven’t talked about starting up another company together. I think I’m going to take the initiative and talk to him about it.”

The next day Kyle and Morton begin discussing what kind of company they’d like to start next.

Apply what you have learned about communication as you ponder and discuss the following questions: Which communication context(s) do you think Kyle was most comfortable in as the head of KyMo? Which one(s) do you think Morton was the most comfortable in? How does intrapersonal communication help Kyle?