Myths, Vision, and Values Associated with the United States Postal Service

Myths Associated with the United States Postal Service

Technology is rapdily impacting and changing how communication is achieved. As a result of many technological advances, which include phones and computers, the United States Postal Service (USPS) has been severly impacted. The USPS was established in 1775 when Benajamin Franklin was appointed the first Postmaster General for the united colonies by members of the Second Continental Congress. This sparked the beginning of the USPS, which focused on delivering communication between congress and armies. According to Longley, "On July 16, 1775, with revolution brewing, Congress enacted the 'Constitutional Post' as a way to ensure communication between the general populace and the patriots preparing to fight for America's independence" (para. 3). It was this myth that explains the creation of the USPS. Bowman and Deal (2008) state, "Myths often originate in the launching of an enterprise" (p. 254).

Vision Associated with the United States Postal Service

After Benjamin Franklin was designated as the Postmaster General, he decided to fulfill George Washington's dream of what a postal service should be. According to Longley, "Washington, who championed a free flow of information between citizens and their government as a cornerstone of freedom, often spoke of a nation bound together by a system of postal roads and post offices" (para. 1) Benjamin Franklin achieved this vision by creating a delivery service that was more efficient and faster. According to pbs.org, "Franklin established several notable improvements to the postal service by making a tour of all major post offices in the colonies to inspect their operations and to identify ways of improving service" (para. 5). Benjamin Franklin's vision to create a more reliable and proficient post service was achieved and was recognized for generations. Bolman and Deal (2008) state, "Vision turns organization's core ideology, or sense of purpose, into an image of the future" (p. 255).

Values Associated with the United States Postal Service

The values of the USPS can be best described as providing fast, efficient and reliable postal services to the people of the United States. The United States Postal Service also believes in providing superior customer service while cutting costs and increasing revenue. According to the USPS site, "As a global leader in mail delivery and successful corporate business practices, we maintain a talented workforce to support strategic initiatives that continues to generate revenue, reduce costs, achieve customer-focused results and improve service" (para. 1). The USPS' symbol, the eagle, also symbolizes speed and is also a representation of the United States as the official emblem. This eagle is a representation of one of their core values, which is to provide their services in a speedy manner. Bolman and Deal (2008) state, "The values that count are those an organization lives, regardless of what it articulates in mission statements or formal documents" (p. 255).

References:

About the U.S. Postal Service

Bolman, L. G. & Deal, T. E. (2008). Reframing Organizations; artistry, choice and leadership. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

PBS.org

U.S. Postal Service Website