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

Assignment by Group 1:- Kalush Bhatia

Neil Jose Manjooran
Ravi Sinha
CS Bangari
Samarveer Singh

1. What are the work styles and personalities of Thomas Green and Frank Davis?

Ans The work styles and personalities of Thomas Green (TG) and Frank Davis (FD)
were different from each other. Whilst FD, the boss, wanted timely feedback, meeting
specified timelines, punctuality and spelt out rules of functioning/ work styles in the
first month itself, TG was more focussed on independently working on his special
software project, not documenting his plans/projections and also, could not reply to
the queries of FD (despite three reminders) or give timely updates. Thus, work styles
and personalities of TG and FD could be summarised as follows:-

Work Style of Thomas Green Work Style of Frank Davis

- Go Getter
- Creative
- Independent worker
- Upward communication lacking
Personality of Thomas Green
- Blend of Eagle and Tiger
- Intelligent
- Thinks quickly on his feet
- Follows established processes
- Systematic Approach
- Command and Control
Personality of Frank Davis
- Chameleon
- Carries pre-conceived notions

2. How do the expectations of Green differ from the expectations of Frank Davis?

Ans The expectations of TG could be summarised as follows:

(a) Free hand to do work the way he wanted.
(b) Minimal interference and supervision by FD.
(c) Focus on the special software project.
(d) FD reduces the projections of 2008 from 10%.

The expectations of FD could be summarised as follows:-

(a) Wanted to have a new senior market specialist other than TG.
(b) TG endorses the sales forecast made by FD.
(c) TG to provide clients with Market data.
(d) TG spends time preparing for client meetings and develop supporting
details for his proposals.
(e) TG develops some new market strategies for his region.
(f) TG thinks out of the box and develop strategies to capture the
aggressive growth target of 10%.
(g) TG updates Outlook calendar regularly.
(h) TG provides feedback to FDs requests in a timely manner.
 The broad expectations of TG and FD are as follows:-

Thomas Green Frank Davis

- Freedom to work - Authoritative (Control)

- Special software project - Marketing strategies
- Achieve Success by smart - Proper documentation
work - Feedback
- Early recognition of talent

3. What is your analysis of Thomas Green’s actions and job performance in his
first five months?

Ans Analysis of TG’s actions and job performance:-

- Ambitious about his career.

- Good at selling the clients on his ideas.
- Lack of managerial experience.
- Quick to think on his feet.
- Interpersonal disconnect/ incoherent
- No meaningful output during the period.
- No guidance sought.
- Openly challenged FD in the first meeting in the new role.
- Unable to provide hard data for cost savings.
- No memos or presentations prepared.
- Publicly portrayed disagreement with FD’s projections.

4. What are the possible underlying agendas of Davis and McDonald?

Ans
Agenda of Davis
- Prejudiced against TG’s quick
promotion.
- Control actions of subordinates.
- Replace TG with someone with
managerial experience.
Agenda of Mc Donald
- Sees potential in TG.
- Strategic thinking.
- Put Control Mechanisms in
place.
- Resolve differences between
TG and FD amicably.

5. What actions, if any, would you take if you were Thomas Green to solve the
conflict and why?
Ans We would have taken the following actions to solve the conflict since there is
an emergent requirement to be a part of the organisation and align with the projected
goals of superior (FD) in the first few months/years to grasp all nuances of higher
corporate leadership:-
- unconditional apology to the senior management.
- More interaction with FD to open up communication channels with the
superior.
- Document data, memos, presentations for future reference.
- Update domain knowledge.
- Seek regular guidance.
- Keep FD updated on plans.
- Provide regular feedback/inputs to queries.

Submitted by Group 1