Chapter 5: Case – Whatever is Necessary

What role did personality play in the situation at the bank? Which of the Big Five

personality traits most clearly influence Marian and Dave? Which of the cognitive and

motivational aspects of personality played a role?

The scenario is about the one job but two willing person Marian, and Dave. The boss of Marian

told her that Dave was liked too and would have been selected. So, the problem here is that she

should not have been told by the intention because she was an outsider. She made perception in

her mind about Dave already.

From the Big Five personality traits, Consciousness is the personality trait which has influenced

Dave and Marian. Marian is conscious about her job, she is energetic and passionate to do her

job of bank loan and she can work for longer hours. Marian is very sensible in sense that she

thinks before doing anything. On the other hand Dave was energetic and reliable too but he

would be vulnerable because he was liked. Therefore, he might not think before acting.

Marian believes in getting the job done and meeting the organizational goals to keep her position

sustained. She has aggressive response when it comes to the business goals, therefore, she

wanted to stay at the top of his team. While on the other hand Dave is little different. He has

approval or agreeable behavior because he follows whatever, Marian direct to the team. He

focuses on to be more socially liked.

Working within the bounds of her personality, what should Marian have done when

trouble first seemed to be brewing? How could she have maintained Dave’s job satisfaction

and commitment?
The problem is that the conflict arise when both of them wanted same job. Now, if Marian would

have asked Dave that she respects him and she can follow him as a good leader of the team then

Dave’s moral could have reached high. He would have motivated even more. But she did not win

him and he turned hypocrite against her by calling Marian “boss lady.” The term he started using

can be in criticism. Anyhow, if she would have taken him on same page as her entire team was,

then the situation could be better. Dave wanted appreciation and recognition all the time so, if

she would have given appreciation then his motivation would have increased.

How should Marian proceed now that the situation has become very difficult?

Face to face or one-on-one talk is a better option to resolve such conflicts. The negotiation is

always a better option. She should take him into confidence that she did not know about the

situation before coming but now they have to cooperate with each towards shared goals.

Everybody, even boss appreciate his work therefore, he should act like what he suits him. She

should take his advice on how to increase loan sales, this way he would feel a part of recognition.

In other words, try to get him into the games and play together.