The Floundering Expatriate
Case Analysis:
Case#2 – The Case of the Floundering Expatriate
Case Overview
Argos Europe was facing an opportunity of growth by acquisition. To consolidate European companies effectively, the company needed a person who can effectively combine together and lubricate parts of the organization. Bert Donaldson seemed to be the most suitable candidate for that position. Bill Loun, the CEO of Argos International, admired his international background achieved by working as a professor of American studies in Cairo for 5 years. Also, his skill of forming cross-divisional or cross-functional teams was proven to be outstanding through his career in Argos. Judging by his past achievements and descriptions on his personality in the case, Donaldson has some positive traits that a good leader should have. He is an outgoing person and enthusiastic in his work. His charisma bases on his manners of communicating with others in a familiar way with a sense of humor. In other words, Donaldson has positive traits of Extraversion, Conscientiousness, and Agreeablenessi.
However, he lacks the ability to adapt himself in his new workplace. Facing the cultural barriers was the biggest challenge, and unfortunately Donaldson was limited at accepting new ideas and was not so creative (lack of openness). Moreover, he was agitated by meeting unfavorable situations, and this led him to carry out his training workshop in an ill-mannered behavior. He failed to conceal his disturbed feelings when facing the situation going different from that he expected (tendency to show neuroticism)ii.
After all, these negative traits partially hindered his mission of forming a well-organized cross-corporation team for Argos Europe. Frustration in communication made the situation even worse, and finally the latent problem floated to the surface. The results were not good for the company – Donaldson lost credibility from most of the European managers. Other than
Case#2 – The Case of the Floundering Expatriate
Case Overview
Argos Europe was facing an opportunity of growth by acquisition. To consolidate European companies effectively, the company needed a person who can effectively combine together and lubricate parts of the organization. Bert Donaldson seemed to be the most suitable candidate for that position. Bill Loun, the CEO of Argos International, admired his international background achieved by working as a professor of American studies in Cairo for 5 years. Also, his skill of forming cross-divisional or cross-functional teams was proven to be outstanding through his career in Argos. Judging by his past achievements and descriptions on his personality in the case, Donaldson has some positive traits that a good leader should have. He is an outgoing person and enthusiastic in his work. His charisma bases on his manners of communicating with others in a familiar way with a sense of humor. In other words, Donaldson has positive traits of Extraversion, Conscientiousness, and Agreeablenessi.
However, he lacks the ability to adapt himself in his new workplace. Facing the cultural barriers was the biggest challenge, and unfortunately Donaldson was limited at accepting new ideas and was not so creative (lack of openness). Moreover, he was agitated by meeting unfavorable situations, and this led him to carry out his training workshop in an ill-mannered behavior. He failed to conceal his disturbed feelings when facing the situation going different from that he expected (tendency to show neuroticism)ii.
After all, these negative traits partially hindered his mission of forming a well-organized cross-corporation team for Argos Europe. Frustration in communication made the situation even worse, and finally the latent problem floated to the surface. The results were not good for the company – Donaldson lost credibility from most of the European managers. Other than
References: