Bound by the Chains of CommandKelvin Goh, Ivy Lee, Jennifer Lin

The B

ackground

• Mina has an upcoming job interview and will be relying on Tom for her reference.

• The job means very much to her.• Jason (Tom’s subordinate) approaches

Mina with some dodgy accounts, e.g. expenses with no paperwork but all of small amounts – less than $100.

• The accounts are handled by Tom.• The corporate culture is such that Jason

finds it difficult to raise the issue to the state manager as it means bypassing the chain of command i.e. Tom.

• To Mina’s current knowledge, Tom leads a healthy lifestyle and does not seem anxious about money.

The D

ilemm

a

What should Mina do?Will it be the

job or accounts…

Note : • Mina is unable to query the accounts

without Tom being aware of the matter.

Option O

ne

Ask

Right Away

Principle?

Option T

wo

NOT

to ask at all

Principle?

Option T

hree

Ask

BUT

after the reference process is over

Principle?