Case Analysis: Thomas Green:

Power, Office Politics, and a

Career in Crisis

Case Analysis: Thomas Green

1. According to you, how did Thomas Green performed in the first 5
months; what are his mistakes?
Thomas Greens performance in his previous industry which he worked was
more than at par because of which he was immediately noticed by higher
officials at Dynamic Displays.
The impression which he had created on Shannon McDonald, the division Vice
President, ensured that he was promoted to a higher level very early in his
career. This move also had certain expectations from Green attached to it.
Shannon expected that Thomas would compensate his lack of experience by
seeking out guidance from some of the more senior managers and deliver
what is expected from him by working in a team and according to the
standards of Dynamic Displays.
However, Thomas followed his own approach and discarded suggestions
given by others.
Though he was known for working charismatically and could sell any of his
ideas to the clients, he never supported his work with data as evidence.
He had a good rapport with his clients and also was well respected by his
fellow team members, but his idea of just selling with word of mouth and no
evidences was not helping him in getting many clients. This was also a
concern for his top authorities.
He also did not take criticisms positively even if the allegations were
supported with evidences. He instead negated the allegations by
stereotyping Davis behavior that since he did not support Davis with his Sales
forecast, Davis wanted to fire him.
He did not believe in following certain orders and practices which his
manager wanted him to follow. Instead he responded to them by saying that
there were no value to them and he has all information in his head. He did
not consider the others point of view about why the other person needs
certain information and how important and urgent it is to them.
He also straightaway questioned his superior in the meeting in front of
everyone and told his expectations were not realistic. Instead he could have
met him personally after the meeting and discussed with him in detail about
the feasibility of the task and the approach towards it.
So, overall, even though Thomas was very charismatic and enthusiastic, he
did not align his tasks according to the company as well as his superiors
standards but carried out tasks according to his own way of working.

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

Davis and McDonald both held higher level managerial positions in the
company and have a lot of responsibilities under them.
Davis is the marketing director handling the marketing function of the entire
Travel and Hospitality Division while McDonald, being the Vice President, is
responsible for all aspects of the same division.
Thus, both have sufficient power in their hands to demonstrate and take
decisions in the division.
McDonald, in lieu of the benefit of the division, thought that Thomas could
bring a fresh perspective to the division and hence gave him the unusual
promotion. While doing this, she also displayed some favoritism towards
Thomas and used her power over Davis in selecting Thomas for the post of
Senior Market Specialist.
But her agenda was clear that proper team coordination should be there in
the team and the division should be benefitted. She also expected Thomas
to follow the same path.
Davis was also very much focused on the targets to achieve which would in
turn be in tandem with the goals of the division.
His agenda to work was by following standard procedures like updating the
outlook calendars, focusing on the duties assigned, submitting written
reports, charts etc.
He was used to work with such an approach and also expected his
subordinates to work in the similar manner.

3. What action would you take if you are Thomas Green

There are a few actions/options which Thomas has in front of him which are:
a. Setup a meeting with McDonald: Prior to his promotion, Thomas used to
meet McDonald frequently and give views about market strategies and plans
to gain the confidence of McDonald. Post promotion, he has got only 2
instances where he has met McDonald. Thomas should urgently setup a meet
with him, clarify all the miss-understandings and develop the further roadmap for him in the company.
b. Write a detailed memo to McDonald: Thomas feels that McDonald trusts
him and would always be on his side no matter what the consequences be.
For that, he should write a detailed memo stating all his achievements till
date, all the marketing strategies that he had formed, all the sales tactics,
the increase of sales of the eastern region which is assigned to him. Also,
stating that Frank is jealous about his achievement and poses a risk of his
own post.
c. Be a puppet and listen to what Davis says: Thomas could just be a
puppet and listen to what Davis has said. Thomas agrees to the fact that the
forecast sales figures are inflated and that they are unrealistic and couldnt
be achieved. Thomas could just follow Franks order and follow his foot-steps
blindly be it in the interest of the company or of Frank himself.
d. Expose Franks inflated budget figures: Thomas is confident that the
sales projections for the upcoming year presented by Frank are unrealistic
and impossible to achieve. On discussions with the account executives,
Thomas was confident that the projected figures were not attainable and just
a show boarding stuff. He should expose this unrealistic figure to McDonald
so that Frank is proved wrong and Thomas projections are right.
e. Hunt for a new job: Since Thomas is losing out on allies in the company
and since even McDonald has asked for explanations from him, Thomas feels
that this is the end of road in Dynamic Displays. As of now he perceived
McDonald being on his side and assumed that he had gained his confidence
big time. He took McDonald for granted. But the mail from McDonald to
Thomas asking for explanations has put Thomas into total disarray. He has
failed to understand the politics prevailing inside the company.
If we were Thomas Green then we wouldnt think of leaving the company as of
now because his mortgage payment was due and the new furniture that he had
ordered was scheduled to be delivered soon. He would find it difficult to find a
new and satisfactory job soon and also manage his personal problems.

In fact, we feel that Thomas should go ahead and expose the inflated figures to
McDonald. McDonald has a good rapport with Thomas and this could be a savior
force for him. Furthermore, his discussions with his fellow account executives
made it evident that the projected sales for the upcoming year could not be
achieved. He has evidence on his side to make his argument strong. He should
go ahead and boldly present Franks inflated budget to McDonald.