lisa benton
DESCRIPTION
Organizational behaviorTRANSCRIPT
1
LISA BENTON :CASE ANALYSIS
Mihika Yadav
2
Homecare : Hierarchical Chart
Product Manager ( Deborah
Linton)
Associate product Manager
( Ron Scoville)
Assistant Product Manager
( Liza Benton )
3
How did I get into this mess ?
4
Rejecting the offer at Right Away◦ Hesitant to take up much responsibility◦ Liza was not sure about reactions of VP (Operations) towards her◦ Right Away was a small company, with headquarters in a rundown
warehouse section in Chicago◦ No women mangers around
Gap between expectations & reality at Houseworld◦ She expected to receive classical marketing training in a structured
environment◦ She presumed that the hygiene factors were better in Houseworld ◦ Her relationship with Linton and Scoville was not good as both of them
had stereotype attitude towards MBA graduates◦ She was asked to perform clerical tasks◦ Linton failed to mentor her properly◦ Benton was frustrated as she got a negative performance feedback◦ She was unsure how to manage her relationship with Scoville & Linton◦ She was not true to her own character
5
Social penetration theory
◦ Deborah (As seen by Lisa):
Confident and sophisticated Jealous (Resents MBAs) Control freak (Makes it clear to Lisa that she is the
boss) Not trustworthy (Doesn’t guide Lisa even though
she promises her) Articulate and persuasive Manipulating (Tries to alienate Lisa from various
marketing presentations) Not encouraging Finicky (typing incident) Illogical (Sides with Ron on copying incident) Inconsistent ( feedback)
6
Ron (As seen by Lisa):
◦Unkempt◦Acts like overbearing big brother◦Hypocrite (tells Lisa to follow rules
even though he thinks himself to be above them)
◦Condescending◦High headedness◦Superiority complex◦Brusque◦ Ill mannered (yelled at Lisa before
whole office)◦Destructive behavior
7
JOHARI WINDOWKNOWN TO SELF NOT KNOWN TO SELF
KNOWN TO OTHERS
• Enthusiastic• Friendly• Professional• Outgoing• Quick learner
• Non-assertive• Non-initiator• Lack of confidence
(Kingston had faith)
NOT KNOWN TO OTHERS
• Analytical Skills• Intellectual Capacity• Ambitious• Organizational abilities• Underutilized• Frustrated
• Potential• Ability to judge others
character.(Scoville’s in particular)
Window Right away Houseworld
Open Large Small
Blind Small Large
Hidden Small Large
8
Transactional Analysis1. Lisa’s dominant ego was that of adaptive child and
rebellious child
2. Deborah’s dominant ego was that of critical parent.
3. Kingston’s dominant ego was that of nurturing parent.
4. Hence Lisa got along well with Kingston while she felt suffocated under Deborah.
9
FIRO-B Lisa
INCLUSION CONTROL AFFECTION
EXPRESSED LOW - MEDIUM1.Did not contribute opinions in meeting2. Socializing with other assistant product managers
MEDIUM-HIGH1. Got the work done at Right Away2.Lacks assertiveness at Household.
HIGH1.Got along well with staff2.Fixed the heading of charts of secretary on vacation
WANTED HIGH1.Tried several times to get answers from Linton.2.Feels Linton under-utilized her abilities
HIGH1. Curbed her natural instincts to please her boss
HIGH1.Wanted Linton to make time for her2.Shared her feeling of frustration with Carter.
10
FIRO-B Deborah
Right Away INCLUSION CONTROL AFFECTION
EXPRESSED LOW1. Showed no
inclination in getting to know Lisa.
HIGH1. Clearly told Lisa
who her boss is.2. Was upset when
Vernon spoke to Lisa directly
LOW1. No mention of
social life apart from rumored affair with Ron
WANTED LOW1. Rejected Lisa
attempts to form more cordial relationship
LOW1. Would not
delegate work.2. Didn’t
encourage Lisa to speak at meetings
LOW1. Didn’t
encourage Lisa’s attempts to get to know her better.
11
FIRO-B KingstonRight Away INCLUSION CONTROL AFFECTION
EXPRESSED HIGH1. Made Right-
Away tightly knit organization
2. Gave Lisa part time consulting
N/A HIGH1. Even though
upset with Lisa’s decision to not join his firm, he wished her good luck
WANTED HIGH1. Trained interns
so that they could fit into the organization
HIGH1. He let Lisa take
initiative and start nonmerchandising services
HIGH1. Wanted loyalty
from Lisa because he had invested a lot of time and effort in her.
12
FIRO- B Analysis
Lisa and Kingston’s relation was very cordial because there FIRO – B results were complimentary.
Lisa’s and Deborah’s FIRO-B were not complementary and that could explain the friction in their relationship.
Kingston
Lisa
Deborah Lisa
13
So what can I do now?
14
Option 1 : Bear with Deborah and Ron until her permanent position is allotted (status quo)
Option 2 : Have clear-the-air discussions with Deborah and Ron and chalk out a plan which suits all of them.
Option 3 : Ask Vernon to switch her to another brand
Option 4 : Approach Kingston to see if she could join Right-Away right away.