SurveyMonkey Announces Death of CEO

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Sheryl-Sandberg-husband-david-Goldberg-photoDave Goldberg was the CEO of SurveyMonkey and husband of Sheryl Sanberg, COO of Facebook and author of the book "Lean In." At just 47, Golberg died of head trauma after falling off a treadmill at a gym in a private villa in Mexico, where he was vacationing with family and friends. 

According to The New York Times, Goldberg was "well regarded as an entrepreneur and mentor and was the less famous half of one of Silicon Valley's most prominent power couples." The news came as a shock and caused speculation about the cause. But a spokesperson for the prosecutor's office in the Mexican town said plainly, "he fell off the treadmill and cracked his head open." The incident may lead to new measures treadmill safety.

SurveyMonkey posted this announcement on its website: 

  Goldberg Survey Monkey

Image source. 

Discussion Starters:

  • How do you assess Survey Monkey's statement? Which principles of delivering bad news in Chapter 8 are followed, and which are not? Consider the audience, purpose, and so on. 
  • Should the company say or do anything else at this point?