Ross Abernathy and Frontier Bank Conundrum

Problem Statement: Ross Abernathy, CEO of Frontier Bank is caught in a situation where
he has to select a small high-performance team to improve the current situation of the bank.

Criteria:
Team / Criteria Inside Team My Team Outside Strangers

Pros  Familiarity with  Proven  Innovative ways of

Frontier Performance working
 Time taken to Record  Independent way of
form the team  Trustworthy thinking
 Relevant industry  Bias free
experience  Proven Performance
 Clear with Ross’s Record
Expectations
Cons  Lacks  Partial approach  Time intensive
motivation and to ex colleagues process of scouting &
Purpose  Current recruiting
 Habitual with employees might  Unfamiliarity with
the traditional feel intimidated Ross’s Approach
way of working
Risk  Risking the  Risking  Risking the
company’s employee’s leadership in hands of
future if the new commitment people who are
team won’t be given they might unaware about
able to rise to lose motivation working of company
the expectations and their and CEO’s
performance expectation
deteriorates
Morale Problems  Firing older  Existing  Group Dynamics
& Morale workforce will employees might might get disturbed,
Advantages demotivate feel demotivated internal conflicts may
young arise
employees
Recommendation: After a careful analysis of all the options available, we would advise
Ross to go for “My Team” option, as the sole purpose of this exercise is to drive the growth
of the bank and for that CEO of the company would need like minded and trustworthy
people. Given the situation of the firm it is imperative to act at fast pace. If company goes out
scouting totally new leaders it is going to take time to train and make them acquainted with
the working of the firm.
Also, if it selects all the Inhouse team it will be difficult for Ross to drive the team alone as
they have been in that lackluster environment for a long time. If had an option, Ross should
select a team with a blend of all the three segments. This will optimize the solution and drive
the growth at faster pace.