Name NIRAJ KUMAR

Question 1

Lisa felt disappointed during her first few weeks at Houseworld. What, according to you,
caused friction between her and her team members: Linton and Scoville? Mention at least 2
instances.

Write your answer here.

Instance 1- The first instance where the friction between Lisa and Linton was during her first
day in the office. Linton remarked that she doesn’t like MBA’s. This remark along with the
cool and disinterest welcome she got from her boss was a primary friction point.

Instance-2- Richard Clark, the group product manager who had impressed her during the
recruitment process barely recognized her nor welcomed her into the organization. He had
given her a cold welcome.

Instance-3- Scoville’s condescending manner in which he spoke to her, and he was acting like
an overbearing big brother. He assigned her menial tasks like copying reports. This was
another friction point during first few weeks.

Instance 1 - The first instance

where the friction between Lisa
and Linton was during her first
day in the office. Linton
remarked that ‘she doesn’t like
MBAs’. This remark along with
the
cool and disinterested welcome
she got from her boss was a
primary friction point
Instance 2 - Richard Clark, the
group product manager who had
impressed her during the
recruitment process barely
recognized her nor welcomed her
into the organization. He had
given her a cold welcome
Instance 3 - Scoville’s
condescending manner in which
he spoke to her and he was acting
like an overbearing big brother.
He assigned her menial tasks like
copying reports. This was
another friction point during her
first few week
Instance 1 - The first instance
where the friction between Lisa
and Linton was during her first
day in the office. Linton
remarked that ‘she doesn’t like
MBAs’. This remark along with
the
cool and disinterested welcome
she got from her boss was a
primary friction point
Instance 2 - Richard Clark, the
group product manager who had
impressed her during the
recruitment process barely
recognized her nor welcomed her
into the organization. He had
given her a cold welcome
Instance 3 - Scoville’s
condescending manner in which
he spoke to her and he was acting
like an overbearing big brother.
He assigned her menial tasks like
copying reports. This was
another friction point during her
first few weeks
Instance 1 - The first instance
where the friction between Lisa
and Linton was during her first
day in the office. Linton
remarked that ‘she doesn’t like
MBAs’. This remark along with
the
cool and disinterested welcome
she got from her boss was a
primary friction point
Instance 2 - Richard Clark, the
group product manager who had
impressed her during the
recruitment process barely
recognized her nor welcomed her
into the organization. He had
given her a cold welcome
Instance 3 - Scoville’s
condescending manner in which
he spoke to her and he was acting
like an overbearing big brother.
He assigned her menial tasks like
copying reports. This was
another friction point during her
first few weeks
Instance 1 - The first instance
where the friction between Lisa
and Linton was during her first
day in the office. Linton
remarked that ‘she doesn’t like
MBAs’. This remark along with
the
cool and disinterested welcome
she got from her boss was a
primary friction point
Instance 2 - Richard Clark, the
group product manager who had
impressed her during the
recruitment process barely
recognized her nor welcomed her
into the organization. He had
given her a cold welcome
Instance 3 - Scoville’s
condescending manner in which
he spoke to her and he was acting
like an overbearing big brother.
He assigned her menial tasks like
copying reports. This was
another friction point during her
first few weeks
Instance 1 - The first instance
where the friction between Lisa
and Linton was during her first
day in the office. Linton
remarked that ‘she doesn’t like
MBAs’. This remark along with
the
cool and disinterested welcome
she got from her boss was a
primary friction point
Instance 2 - Richard Clark, the
group product manager who had
impressed her during the
recruitment process barely
recognized her nor welcomed her
into the organization. He had
given her a cold welcome
Instance 3 - Scoville’s
condescending manner in which
he spoke to her and he was acting
like an overbearing big brother.
He assigned her menial tasks like
copying reports. This was
another friction point during her
first few weeks
Instance 1 - The first instance
where the friction between Lisa
and Linton was during her first
day in the office. Linton
remarked that ‘she doesn’t like
MBAs’. This remark along with
the
cool and disinterested welcome
she got from her boss was a
primary friction point
Instance 2 - Richard Clark, the
group product manager who had
impressed her during the
recruitment process barely
recognized her nor welcomed her
into the organization. He had
given her a cold welcome
Instance 3 - Scoville’s
condescending manner in which
he spoke to her and he was acting
like an overbearing big brother.
He assigned her menial tasks like
copying reports. This was
 another friction point during her
first few weeks
Question 2

Analyse Scoville’s personality using the OCEAN framework. What, according to you, would
he score in each of the OCEAN traits? Cite examples or instances to support your answer. (5
marks)

Write your answer for Part A here.

Trait Level: High/Low Example supporting the answer

Openness to High Scoville moved from the operations department

Experience

Conscientiousness Low The copying episode with Lisa where Scoville

was frantically making changes at the last
moment is evidence for his low
conscientiousness.

Extraversion Low He doesn’t mingle well with other department

workers. This was evident when he doesn’t join
them for lunch. This point can further be
supported by the fact that a challenge is getting
things done from other departments.

Agreeableness Low He was critical in his approach. This was

 supported by the events of Lisa;s first day
interactions by the events of Lisa’s first day
interactions with him where he was extremely
critical of MBA graduates. He was also found
to be extremely irritable by other employee who
took Lisa;s side later on.

Neuroticism High Scoville was nice to Lisa in the beginning by

answering her questions and doubts. But he
threw a temper tantrum during his disagreement
with Lisa on the assumptions on Pure and
fresh’s pricing strategy. Due to this emotional
instability his neuroticism score is high.

Question 2B: Using the results of the OCEAN framework analysis, suggest two ways in which
Lisa can improve her relationship with Scoville. (2 marks)

Write your answer for Part B here.

Lisa can initiate an emotional connect with Scoville. She could assess what ticks him and what
doesn’t by connecting with him outside the office on an emotional level.

She can make herself indispensable to Scoville by using her relationships with other
department colleagues in getting work done quickly for him. Scoville’s increasing reliance on
her can improve her relationship with him.

Question 3
 Question 3A: Which area of the Johari window does this situation represent? (1 mark)

Write your answer for Part A here.

Johari window model is a simple and useful tool for illustrating and improving self-awareness
and mutual understanding between individual in a group. This model is particularly work on
following area.

1. Open/free area
2. Blind area
3. Hidden area
4. Unknown area

Question 3B: What can Lisa do to reduce this area and improve her relationship with Linton?
Give at least two relevant examples. (4 marks)

Write your answer for Part B here.

Lisa should user her conversational skills with Linton and develop relationship with her. The
drivers for both Linton and Lisa are that they are both women who are ambitious. Developing
a Camaraderie with Linton Should be easier if Lisa connected with her using this driver. Lisa
can make herself more visible by getting onto interesting projects that increase her Visibility to
Scoville and Linton. This would make other Colleagues mention good things about her, this
Creates a network of influence for Lisa. Lisa should stop acting like a learner in the future and
be assertive with her recommendations and pitch relevant ideas during staff meeting.

Question 4
 In Lisa's performance review, Linton described Lisa as "unassertive" and "lacking in initiative
and confidence". What could Linton have done differently while giving the feedback? Suggest
two  improvements.

Write your answer here.

Instead of coming across and telling the negatives directly. Linton could have presented the
opportunities to Lisa Where she can present herself assertively and empower her shine.

When Linton heard of how abhorrent Scoville’s management was, she could have given Lisa
her word that she would counsel him to alter his behavior.

Question 5

Suggest three engagement tactics that could have helped Lisa in feeling more motivated to
work in House world.

Write your answer here.

1. Work appreciation
2. Training and coaching
3. Fun activities

Question 6
 Question 6A: Mention 2  soft tactics that Lisa can use. Suggest relevant ways in which these
can be implemented.  (2 marks)

Write your answer for Part A here.

The soft tactics tat can show personal power are:-

Persuasion

Exchange

Impression management

She can also exchange favors with Scoville by helping him with tasks she can influence him to
accept her points of view.

Question 6B: Mention 2  hard tactics that Lisa can use.  Suggest relevant ways in which these
can be implemented. (2 marks)

Write your answer for Part B here.

Assertiveness: -Lisa can be more assertive in her conversation with Scoville and Linton. The
conversation with Lisa when she said she doesn’t like MBA’s and she could have given
assertive feedback to Scoville about his abhorrent style of management. This could have
minimized her negative experiences.

Question 7
 Do you think there has been a breach of ethics by Lisa's coworkers? Justify your answer by

giving reasons and mentioning instances from the case study.

Write your answer here.

Yes, there was a breach of trust. Please see below the incident.

Scoville was forcing Lisa to do his copying work. Lisa was busy on her task, and she denied.
then she got furious stating ‘oh, I see, you’re too good at copying”

Scoville immediately complained to Linton stating that exact same words. This was going
behind her back and a clear breach of trust.

Question 8

Should Lisa quit her job at Houseworld? Support your answer with at least 3 relevant
arguments.

Write your answer here.

Yes, Lisa should quit the job at House world. Among many reasons, here are my arguments.

Lack of ethics- There is a clear lack of business ethics and personal moral values in her seniors
– Linton and Scoville. This clearly will not give her a fair opportunity in spite of her giving
her best. Also, she might pick up wrong principals, affecting her career later in life.

Lack of Team Bonding- There is a clear display of lack of team bonding and team
management from typing issues to copying incident. This is unhealthy and will hamper the
overall growth.

Unprofessional: - Scoville has many a times displayed unprofessional behavior and we see no
action taken against him. Other team members likewise raise similar issue, but nothing
concrete against him has happened. This shows red tapism.