Submitted by: Rohan 15010196, Rubal 1501097, Rushin 1501098, Sabysachi 1501100, Sandeep 1501101

Managing UP: Grace-Case Background and Problem Statement:

This case is set up in a Consulting firm where there are mainly three main characters which are
1. Grace (Subordinate) is ambitious, little narrow minded, hot headed and impatient.
2. Landon Washington (Manager) is supportive, caring, patient, genuine, traditional manager, practical,
sees things only from his perspective.
3. Bill Michaels (Vice President) is encouraging, a process driven person who believes in hierarchy
Grace has been working in the company for 15months and was mentored by Landon Washington. He
had been supportive and guided her through the course of 15months. But after completing one year in
the company, she pondered over her career growth so she realized that to grow in the company she
have to take up new challenges that is to work on a high profile assignment. Otherwise she needs to do
something which is a breakthrough in the company through fixing a problem in the firm. She then found
that some of the employees are unhappy with the performance management software of the company.
Grace knew about software which can be replaced with and the problem or dissatisfaction amongst the
employees can be removed. She sought this as an opportunity to work on and prove that she is capable
for a promotion thus leading to a career growth. She held a meeting with Landon about the same but
Landon did not push for it. This reaction from Landon was appropriate because he was a manager who
“plays by the book”. But Grace did not stop and continued to turn all possible stones so that this can be
done. She even tried to talk to the VP Bill Michaels in a party. She explained her plan to Bill as she got
time but was interrupted by Landon. To follow up with this small meet, she e-mailed the VP Bill couple
of times. This put Landon in a terrible position since he had explained to her why he couldn’t agree to
both her proposals and her approaching Bill directly made him appear an inefficient manager who didn’t
interact with his subordinates enough. Soon, she had a meeting with Langdon where Langdon informed
her that she is crossing the line. She cannot mail the VP directly and she needs to follow the protocol.
This led to a heated discussion where Grace said that she wants to grow and her manager Langdon is
not giving her the opportunity. So the issues at hand are recognizing if Grace, being a junior employee
can handle work of higher level of difficulty? And is it correct to assign her a work of great importance at
this stage of her career? Was her behavior right by provoking people about the bad project
management software?
Analysis:
Grace being an employee for the past 15 months and seek career growth she is present in the
advancement stage. Grace could have avoid the political behavior of provoking people about the bad
software by simply communicating the flaws and its solution of it to the management and wait for their
reply. She thinks she needed a challenge which she can fulfill. In this case she finds that but is unable to
do so because of his Manager. Grace is trying to prove her competence by executing bigger projects
than the run-of-the-mill ones that are offered to her. Also, with the initiative that she's taken, it seems
she can be a future leader at the organization, given her age and her drive. Langdon being the Manager
is in Maintenance stage where he need to mentor the subordinates and create a reputation amongst the
subordinates as well as the higher management. He could have appointed her as a probationary
member in the new large scale project, this will pacify her need for more challenging work and also this
is a low risk maneuver since even if she doesn’t live up to expectations, the project won't be harmed and
if she performs well, then she can be inducted into the project on a full time basis. Or Landon could have
offered her a new project which may be of more importance than her regular projects. This would be a
good move since this ensures that her ascent up the corporate ladder follows the general trend. This will
minimize discontent among her coworkers as well. Bill Michaels should have replied to Grace’s emails
directly expressing appreciation for her thoughts on helping the organization grow more efficient and
such initiatives should be encouraged.