The Vice President, the Product Manager and the Misunderstanding
The Vice President, the Product Manager and the Misunderstanding 1. Effect of Smith’s outburst on the other managers at the meeting.
There is a conflict in this situation. The Vice President Mr. Nick Smith, reprimanded Tom Brewster directly when he failed to answer questions asked by him. Smith’s outburst definitely had an effect on the other managers at the meeting.
A conflict is a disagreement within the context of an organisational setting, between individual members, groups or departments or between employees and the organisation. There is an individual conflict between the Vice President and the assistant Product Manager. The managers were not motivated during the meeting and this is likely to reduce their productivity in the short-term. They might also be worried that they will be equally humiliated by Smith if they will not meet the marketing strategies that were being discussed in the meeting.
Another effect is hostility from the managers. The way the vice president handled the conflict during the meeting might lead to managers refusing to co-operate with him-Smith. This may result into more conflicts in future.
Increased productivity. Conflicts in an organisation have some positive effects. Fear was created among the managers. As indicated above, the managers will not wish to be reprimanded the way the assistant product manager was reprimanded. The managers will have to perform if they would not wish to face the wrath of the Vice President in future. This will therefore go a long way to increase productivity at the Major Tool Works Inc.
2. Was it necessary for Smith to Apologize to Brewster? Why?
It was necessary for Smith to apologize to Brewster. According to the behavioural theory of leadership, an effective leader has respect for employees’ ideas and regard for their feeling. He shows concern for followers’ comfort, well being, status and satisfaction. The Ohio State Studies also concluded that a leader high in consideration could be
There is a conflict in this situation. The Vice President Mr. Nick Smith, reprimanded Tom Brewster directly when he failed to answer questions asked by him. Smith’s outburst definitely had an effect on the other managers at the meeting.
A conflict is a disagreement within the context of an organisational setting, between individual members, groups or departments or between employees and the organisation. There is an individual conflict between the Vice President and the assistant Product Manager. The managers were not motivated during the meeting and this is likely to reduce their productivity in the short-term. They might also be worried that they will be equally humiliated by Smith if they will not meet the marketing strategies that were being discussed in the meeting.
Another effect is hostility from the managers. The way the vice president handled the conflict during the meeting might lead to managers refusing to co-operate with him-Smith. This may result into more conflicts in future.
Increased productivity. Conflicts in an organisation have some positive effects. Fear was created among the managers. As indicated above, the managers will not wish to be reprimanded the way the assistant product manager was reprimanded. The managers will have to perform if they would not wish to face the wrath of the Vice President in future. This will therefore go a long way to increase productivity at the Major Tool Works Inc.
2. Was it necessary for Smith to Apologize to Brewster? Why?
It was necessary for Smith to apologize to Brewster. According to the behavioural theory of leadership, an effective leader has respect for employees’ ideas and regard for their feeling. He shows concern for followers’ comfort, well being, status and satisfaction. The Ohio State Studies also concluded that a leader high in consideration could be