Thomas Green: Power, office Politics, and a Career in Crisis

THOMAS GREEN: POWER, OFFICE POLITICS, AND A CAREER IN CRISIS

WRITTEN ANALYSIS AND COMMUNICATION

INSTRUCTOR: Urmila Rai

CONTENTS

Situation Analysis………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………3

Problem Statement……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………3

Options………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………3

Criteria……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….3

Evaluation of Options…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………4

Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….4

Recommendations………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….….4

Plan of Action…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….5

Contingency Plan……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….5

SITUATION ANALYSIS

The case starts with the results of a problem that had been brewing for months between Thomas Green, Senior Market Specialist, and Frank Davis, Marketing Director. They had not been on the same page since their first altercation. The lack of communication between the two and the bias each held against the other had not helped the team .The problem had gone out of hand when Frank thought Thomas was not cut out for the Senior Market Specialist job and he ought to be replaced. The friction in their relationship jeopardized the performance of the company and Thomas Green’s faltering career transitioned from the fast track to a destination of potential unemployment.

PROBLEM-STATEMENT

What steps should Thomas Green take to ensure he does not lose his job and reputation?

OPTIONS

The following options can be considered:

1. Thomas can accept and follow Frank’s suggestions and instructions without any further thoughts.
2. Thomas can set up a meeting in person with McDonald or write a memo to Frank citing a detailed justification for his actions and views, hence clearing his position.
3. Thomas can reach a common ground with Frank and request him to provide his much-needed freedom to execute work through his own style and then agree to deliver expected results.

CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION

In order to check the effectiveness of the above options, the following criteria should be considered:

1. Thomas’ financial position should not get affected because of the solution.
2. The solution should be acceptable to Frank and Shannon.
3. The solution should help Thomas grow in his career and enable him to save his job.
4. The solution should not undermine Shannon’s ability to select right people for right role.

EVALUATION OF OPTIONS

Option 1: Thomas can accept and follow Frank’s suggestions and instructions without any further thoughts.

Criterion a: Thomas’ financial position should not get affected because of the solution

               Yes

Criterion b: The solution should be acceptable to Frank and Shannon

                      Yes  

Criterion c: The solution should help Thomas grow in his career and enable him to save his job

                     Maybe

Criterion d: The solution should not undermine Shannon’s ability to select right people for right role

                     Maybe

Option 2: Thomas can set up a meeting in person with McDonald or write a memo to Frank citing a detailed justification for his actions and views, hence clearing his position.