Name Jyoti Nishad

Question 1

Lisa felt disappointed in her initial days at Houseworld, according to me what created
friction between Benton and her peers, Scoville and Linton was mainly because of the
lack of communications and giving door for assumptions between them. Some instances
are given below which can explain it in a better manner-

1- Benton’s first day – On her arrival she met Linton (her boss) and got to know that her
cubicle is still not ready and that she was not expecting her this week. Which clearly
shows her boss disinterest and non- seriousness towards her. Linton’s reception was
also very cool, she mentioned about basic necessities of her position but failed to
onboard her properly. A new employee onboarding should be well prepared and
equipped with all necessary knowledge as it reflects a lot about company’s goal,
mission and vision. She also mentioned that she doesn’t like Harvard MBAs even
though she knows that Benton is one of them. It feels like as if she wanted Benton to
feel inferior. She told Benton that for some weeks she will be busy in some work, but if
she has any questions she can directly come to her office. Which Benton tried to do but
every time she did, she felt as she is intriguing her privacy. Which ultimately affected
the flow of communication between Benton and her boss and resulted in Benton’s lack
of assertiveness.

2- Scoville’s interaction for lunch – Scoville invited Benton for lunch to have some
interaction with her as she is supposed to assist him. On lunch Scoville opened the door
and pulled the chair for her which made Benton feel conscious. Like Linton he also
mentioned that he doesn’t like Harvard MBAs. Scoville seemed untidy in his dressing
compared to the other colleagues. He also talked about his non interest in playing
politics or pleasing people but all of it seemed very contrasting towards the behavior he
showed her later. His pompous preaching made Benton feel like that she knows
nothing and she have to rely on him for everything. At the end of the day, she felt
 bothered by his authoritative manner.

Question 2

Write your answer for Part A here.

Trait Level: High/Low Example supporting the answer

Openness to Low In Pg no.4 para 6, Scoville told Lisa that you

Experience are in a learning mode at least for first six
months, so don’t expect to become a wizard or
a decision maker any soon. Which led down
Benton’s morale and she wasn’t able to give
her ideas, a justice they need and pretended
like a learner. Scoville asserted several times
about his learnings and experiences leaving no
room for Benton’s ideas. Scoville could have
asked about Benton’s own emerging idea and
how she wants to put her learnings here. But
here he was less curious and doesn’t want to
learn from her as she is an MBA graduate.
There was one more instance where he started
questioning Benton’s analysis. He did it as she
is an MBA graduate and not because there was
actually an issue.

Conscientiousness Low In Pg no.8 para 6, Scoville was struggling to

meet his deadline and ask Benton for her input.
 When she said that she will do it in a while he
made a very conceited comment. It clearly
shows his non commitment towards his work as
he was struggling to meet his deadline. There
were many instances where he asked Benton to
do his basic work while he was figuring out
something else. This shows his non discipline
attitude towards his work.

Extraversion Low In Pg no.7 para 5, Scoville usually do his tasks

on his own or asks Benton to do it. As unlike
Benton who is very friendly, Scoville finds it
very difficult to ask for help from his
colleagues. Which shows his non sociable and
gregarious behavior.

Agreeableness Low In Pg no.11 para 2, Benton did an analysis of

Pure & Fresh pricing and asked Scoville for his
recommendations. At first, he seemed interested
but later came to her cubicle asking questions
and challenging her assumptions even though
Benton showed her reasons and spreadsheet.
This clearly shows that Scoville is not an
acceptable person as he refuses to agree on
Benton’s work because of his biases towards
MBAs and not because Benton was genuinely
wrong. Most of the colleagues also doesn’t like
him which makes it clear that he is not very
agreeable to their ideas and beliefs as well.
 Neuroticism High In Pg no.12 para.1, Benton thought that
Scoville deserves feedback and suggested they
should meet after work. Over the conversation
Benton got to know that he is very frustrated
with the organization as he had not been
promoted yet. Which clearly resulted in his
hostility towards Benton. Scoville was high on
Neuroticism that’s why he let his unstable
mental health effect his attitude towards
Benton.

1- Lisa can give him feedback for his personality traits and how it is affecting her and the
office culture. She can point out some key areas where he needs to work and how it
can improve.
2- She can also try to befriend him and let others know about his traits as well so that his
peers won’t desert him or misunderstood him because of his behavior. Ultimately, he
will not rely on Lisa always for her help and that can improve their relation in many
ways.

Question 3

Hidden Area/Facade. As she knew that she had these traits and she always wanted to show as
well but Linton never saw her using those traits.

1- Lisa can explain her reasons of not being assertive or giving her input in meetings to
Linton. She can point out Scoville’s saying, how he said as she is a learner, she should
not expect becoming a decision maker any soon. And that she was following what has
 been told to her.
2- Lisa should start talking to Linton directly about her suggestions or wherever she feels
doubtful and should maintain a free flow of communication between her and her boss.
She should also stop following Scoville’s suggestion and doesn’t allow him to become
an intermediary between them.

Question 4

1- Linton told Lisa her areas of improvement but didn’t suggest any plan on how she can
improve it. She could have arranged some training sessions or may be some more
outing with her so that she can start opening up around her and become more
confident.
2- Linton ended her feedback vaguely. She could have mentioned about Lisa’s best traits
or quality which she liked the most. In that way she could have taken this feedback
more generously and doesn’t feel bad.

Question 5

1- Linton should have recognized her work and appreciate her for doing it well. This can
improve her moral and motivation towards her work.
2- She should have been provided with a progress road map which in turn resulted in
good outcomes.
3- Houseworld should have given her a space where she can speak freely without any fear
of judgement or criticism. In that way she could easily let her ideas and suggestions out
without any doubt.
Question 6

1- Persuasion – Lisa can use logical arguments or can do emotional appeals to Scoville
and Linton to make them understand her point of view.
2- Impression Management – Lisa should start doing things the way they are saying for a
while to become likable in their eyes. Gradually she will win their trust and can
improve her image in front of them.

1- Coalition Formation – Since Lisa and the other colleagues in the office have the same
point of view regarding Scoville and Linton. They all can group together to prove what
is right and wrong in their manner. Which will eventually improve their behavior.
2- Information control – She can tell Vernon regarding her experience with Linton and
Scoville and can use this knowledge against them for their wellbeing.

Question 7

In Pg no.11 para 4, Benton was so in anguish that she ratted out her frustration about Scoville
and Linton to an associate whom she doesn’t know very well in a conference room and later
she got a call from Linton, which proves that the associate disclosed her ranting to Linton and
escalated the situation even more. So, there is a breach of employee relationship ethic between
Lisa and that associate. Another instance is discrimination among employees such as
favouritism. Linton was supporting Scoville in most of the conflicts and was asking Lisa to
maintain the relationship rather than correcting Scoville. Which explicitly proves that Linton
was discriminating between Lisa and Scoville in terms of treating them. Lisa got harsh
treatment from both Linton and Scoville as she was an Harvard MBA graduate and not
 someone whom they like. So she has been discriminated of being an Harvard MBA graduate.

Question 8

According to me she should stay at Houseworld. Some of the major points which can
prove that this decision is in the favor of Lisa are given below-

1- The problem she was facing at Houseworld can be faced at Right-Away as well. Just
on the basis of summer internship she can’t be so much sure that Right-Away will treat
her properly. Moreover Kingston was very angry with Lisa’s decision of joining not
them but Houseworld, That Proves she might have greater chance of having a healthy
work culture in Right-Away if she would have joined it at first place but now it’s very
ambiguous.
2- Houseworld as an organization is very accomplished and significant. Leaving just
because of two people shouldn’t be right. Now that Lisa has invested her few months
here she should consider staying a bit more. Rather than leaving she can help the
organization to improve Linton and Scoville behavior or switch to another brand.
3- Except Linton and Scoville, Lisa’s relationship with her other colleagues and her
Group Product Manager (Jack Vernon) was healthy enough. The work culture she got
at Houseworld is very engaging and can improve overtime. The knowledge and
professionalism can help her grow in life more and can teach her how to deal with such
situations that she was facing with Scoville and Linton.