Name Debasish Pattanaik

Question 1

Lisa was disappointed by Linton’s cool welcome and bothered by Scoville’s

approach in a condescending manner. The friction created with Deborah
Linton was due to the comment during the first meeting i.e.: "MBAs act
like they know a lot more than they do. The only way to learn is on the
job, and your formal education won’t help you. I’ve known some Harvard
MBAs, and I don’t like them."
The friction created with Ron Scoville was due to the comment during
lunchtime i.e., “he was not impressed with MBAs, especially those from
Harvard and acting like an overbearing big brother & poor time
management attitude”

Question 2

Answer for Part A -

Trait Level: Example supporting the answer

High/Low

Openness to Low Scoville was insensitive to feelings of

Experience Lisa

Conscientiousness Low Scoville doesn’t have self-discipline,

poor time management skill
 Extraversion Low At Hamster Haven other colleagues
don’t like Scoville

Agreeableness Low As we observe in the case study

Scoville is not well mannered and
does not have a caring attitude

Neuroticism High As we observe in the case study,

Scoville doesn’t get a promotion, he
is in depression and always anxious

Answer for Part B -

Using the results of the OCEAN framework analysis, the two ways by
which Lisa can improve her relationship with Scoville are by sufficing the
shortcomings of low agreeableness and high neuroticism

Question 3

Part of our personality or traits that are known to us and not to others
(Hidden area/ Facade)

To reduce this area Lisa must exhibit her natural self and show her
strengths like analytical skills, intellectual capacity, and organizational
abilities. Be assertive and take initiative to deliver her assignment and
actively participate in the meetings.
Question 4
In the case of Lisa’s performance review, first of all, the review must be
happening in a formal setting rather than in a hotel during lunch and
initially, Linton must set the objective. During giving feedback, the
industry-standard methods must be followed like first highlighting the
strengths & positive aspects of the employee, followed by areas that
need to be improved, and finally suggestions for improvement. The main
thing during giving negative feedback is that the employee must not feel
criticized and disengaged and the approach is like we (Employer) are
concerned about your improvement.
My suggestions for improvements are, that Linton must set the objective
with a clear role and
responsibility for Lisa (Goal setting based on the SMART framework) and
create a positive work environment by forgetting the biases about MBAs
and specifically from Harvard.
Question 5
A positive work environment must be ensured so that Lisa will feel
engaged and this will
increase her confidence. This positive environment will develop trust and
an emotional
bonding and Lisa align herself with the organization’s vision and
strategies. To motivate further, real-time appreciation to recognize the
efforts. And in addition to this, define a future progress road map with
training and development programs.
Question 6
Lisa can use these two soft tactics to improve her relationship with Linton
and Scoville are
1. Persuasion – The gentle art of influencing someone to agree to your
point of view using logical arguments and emotional appeals.
2. Impression Management – It is a way of getting someone to see you
as likable and
trustworthy while increasing the influence that you have on them.
Lisa can use these two hard tactics to improve her relationship with
Linton and Scoville are
1. Information Control – Exploit information to change someone’s
behavior in your
favor
2. Assertiveness – Lisa has this ability and she can use this in meetings
and express
herself.
Question 7

Yes,
There has been a breach of ethics by Lisa’s co-workers.
The breach is in the category of the Fairness Approach.
Employee relationships like discrimination in treating employees and non-
transparency in communication.

Question 8

No
1. From Lisa’s point of view, she has not done anything unethical to leave
the job on her own.
2. She can approach Group Product Manager Jack Vernon with the
happenings in her team and request a change to some other team.
3. As Houseworld was an established consumer products company and
held the largest market share in many of its product groups. Its
reputation for providing excellent marketing training is one critical point
to be considered.