Sam Couts

and
Sentinel Business System

(Stress, Stressors, and Strains)

Presented By - Group -9
(MBA Sec-5)
 Meet our Group
• Priya tyagi
23GSOB2010594

• Priyanka
23GSOB2010464

• RAHUL PANDEY
23GSOB2010554

• Rajesh Jadon
23GSOB2010615

• Rajni
23GSOB2010595
 3
Case Include:
• Introduction
• Onboarding
• The Transactional Theory Of Stress
• 9 Months at Sentinel
• Sam’s Health and Home Life
• Summary
• Question/Answers
 4
Summary
• Sam, a military veteran, joined Sentinel as a senior project analyst, accepting the position amidst
military downsizing, despite a 30% reduction in overall compensation. Sentinel, a large government
contractor, operates across various business units, and Sam's role involved oversight of foreign sales
under Marcus Collins.

• In the initial weeks, Sam encountered challenges understanding his role, receiving minimal guidance
from Marcus during onboarding. The transactional theory of stress, introduced to explain how
individuals respond to stress, became relevant as Sam faced complex project binders and a lack of
clarity about his responsibilities.

• Personal struggles intertwined with professional challenges, including a long commute, poor diet,
and stress-related weight gain. CJ, a colleague, became Sam's mentor, and Rhonda attempted to
transfer him to her division.

• However, unsettling patterns emerged with Marcus, who redirected Sam's focus, berated him for
meeting with consultants as instructed, and displayed hostility toward other team members. Health
issues, including stomach pain, prompted a doctor's visit, with the recommendation to find a new job
due to work-related stress.

• Sam's personal life also suffered as Priya, his spouse, expressed frustration with constant job
complaints and increased drinking. Sam, considering quitting after only nine months, felt compelled
to continue working due to financial commitments.

• Struggling to balance work and personal life, Sam attempted to shift focus during commutes and
limit drinking. Overall, Sam faced a complex web of challenges, including professional
dissatisfaction, health concerns, strained relationships, and a growing desire to leave Sentinel.
 Main Character of the Case

• Sam (Main Character), A military veteran.

• Marcus Collins – (Division Chief of Oversight for Foreign Sales).

• Priya – (Fiancée of Sam)

• CJ – (a financial analyst/former military member)

• Rhonda – (a division chief in Engineering)

INTRODUCTIO
N1. Job Opportunity at Sentinel :
 The foreign sales oversight office at Sentinel sought a senior project analyst with a security clearance to manage international projects
efficiently.

2. Sam Couts' Military Background :

 Sam Couts, a military veteran, spent 2.5 years in international affairs office, focusing formal on training agreements between the U.S. and
foreign militaries.
 His tasks included reviewing and coordinating agreements for approval.

 Sam also served one year combat deployment in Afghanistan as part of an international training team for the Afghan National Army.

3. Sentinel Interview Process :

 Sam interviewed for the position with Marcus Collins, the Division Chief of Oversight for Foreign Sales.
 Marcus asked basic questions, Sam’s weaknesses and comfort while the team focused on Sam's work ethic and international experience.
 Despite the lack of clarity, Sam received an offer from Sentinel less than a month before his military transition.
4. Financial and Personal Situation:

 Sam accepted the job offer, relieving financial concerns during his military downsizing transition, wedding planning with fiancée Priya, and
a recent house purchase
 The job offer came with a 30% reduction in overall compensation due to losing tax-exempt housing and allowances.

5. Sentinel Business Solutions Overview:

 Sentinel Business Solutions is a large government contractor based in Washington DC, employing over 15,000 people across eight
major business units.
 The Oversight of Foreign Sales Division, headed by Marcus Collins, administers budgets exceeding USD 500 million, with tasks
including fund allocation for travel, contract oversight, and review of agreements between countries.
ONBOARDING
1. Transition to Sentinel:
 Sam took a week off between leaving the military and starting at Sentinel.
 During this time, he worked on his new house and researched commuting options, opting for public transportation taking about
1 hour and 15 minutes from his house, 35 miles away.

2. Orientation and Onboarding:

 Sentinel's orientation resembled Sam's military annual training requirements.
 On the last day of the three-day onboarding, Sam went to his new department, and a secretary introduced him to the oversight
division.

3. Connection with CJ:

 Sam met CJ, a financial analyst and former military member from the same branch.
 They shared commonalities in their background, growing up an hour away, and attending the same undergraduate and graduate
schools.
 An instant connection led to a strong friendship, with CJ becoming Sam's closest confidant and mentor.
4. Project Onboarding Challenges:
 Marcus provided Sam with several large binders of ongoing projects during the next few weeks.
 Projects included a new automated system, cost analysis for contracting with international companies, and a
policy review.
 The binders presented a complex and confusing picture of project development, involvement, and objectives.
 Many documents seemed unrelated or misplaced, making it challenging for Sam to understand where to start or find
information.

5. Lack of Guidance and Frustration:

 Despite seeking clarification from Marcus, Sam received little guidance, being told the answers should be in the
binders.
 Frustrated and irritated, Sam stopped asking for guidance and struggled to grasp his full responsibilities.
 He managed to keep busy at work but felt increasingly frustrated due to the lack of clarity.
THE TRANSACTIONAL THEORY OF STRESS:

1. Transactional Theory of Stress (Developed by Dr. Richard Lazarus):

 Developed in the 1960s, the transactional theory of stress is a framework for how individuals assess and respond to stress in various
environments.

2. Definition of Stress:
 Stress is the physical, mental, or emotional response to pressure arising from everyday and uncommon experiences, encompassing
work, family, finances, and social pressures.

3. Types of Stressors:
 Individual sources of stress, known as stressors, can be positive (challenge stressors producing eustress) or negative (hindrance
stressors producing distress).

4. Emotional Responses to Stress:

 Individuals consciously or subconsciously assess stressors and experience emotional responses.
 Positive stress may lead to happiness, while negative stress can result in emotions like anger, frustration, and disappointment.

5. Coping Mechanisms:
• Coping mechanisms aim to manage emotions caused by stress.
• Problem-focused behavioral methods involve seeking help, working harder, or acquiring additional resources.
• Emotion-focused behavioral coping includes venting, seeking emotional support, or engaging in different activities.
• Problem-focused cognitive methods involve changing priorities, reframing problems, and strategizing different approaches.
• Emotion-focused cognitive methods include avoiding stressors, finding positive aspects in negatives, and reappraising situations.
6. Strains and Inadequate Coping:
 Inadequate coping mechanisms can lead to physical or emotional symptoms known as strains.

7. Effects of Role or Job Changes:

 Recent research indicates that changing roles or jobs, especially for newcomers, can intensify the effects of stress, as they may be less
familiar with available resources in their new environments.
9 MONTHS OF SENTINEL
1. Issues with Marcus's Management:
 After over a month at Sentinel, Sam observed unsettling patterns with Marcus, his supervisor.
 Marcus showed inconsistency in priorities and organizational preferences, changing Sam's focus from a policy review to the automation
project.

2. Negative Interaction with Consultants:

 Marcus directed Sam to meet with consultants for the automation project, but later berated him for doing so, claiming it was done "behind his
back."
 Marcus yelled at Sam for 15 minutes during a closed-door meeting, even though Sam had followed his directions.

3. Hostile Environment:
 Marcus frequently called meetings with different teams and expressed anger regardless of their responses, often berating individuals openly.
 CJ, the budget team lead and a well-respected figure, was a favorite target for Marcus's hostility, facing accusations of undermining authority .

4. Unfair Treatment of Sam:

 Sam faced challenges with unrealistic deadlines on the automation project, and Marcus took credit for one of Sam's ideas without
acknowledgment.
 When Sam raised concerns about a conflict of interest with a consultant, Marcus questioned Sam's qualifications and compared it to his own
lengthy service at Sentinel.

5. Support from Rhonda:

 Rhonda, a division chief in Engineering, became an informal mentor for Sam, having experienced a similar boss.
 She attempted to transfer Sam to her division to alleviate the situation, but her efforts were blocked by another executive.
6. Impact on Sam's Well-being:
 Sam struggled with concentration after each incident and considered quitting, feeling helpless and angry with himself for taking the job
at Sentinel.
 Despite wanting to leave, financial commitments like a new mortgage and wedding plans forced Sam to continue working.

7. Job Search and Frustration:

 Sam updated his resume and actively started searching for a new job, often applying for positions before Marcus arrived for the day.
 The difficult work environment at Sentinel motivated Sam to consider quitting despite the challenges of finding a new job.
SAM’S HEALTH AND HOME
LIFE
1. Impact of Commute and Work Pressure on Lifestyle:
 Sam's new commute and the pressures of working on his new home left him with little time for activities like working out.

2. Struggles with Exercise and Diet:

 Sam joined a gym on his way home but had little energy after work to exercise.
 The job and commute made it challenging for him to eat healthily, with only fast-food options available within walking distance of the office.

3. Physical Consequences:
 Poor diet, lack of exercise, and overeating due to work-related stress caused Sam to gain about 20 lbs.

4. Challenges in Marriage:
 Priya, Sam's spouse, struggled with adjusting to marriage and a long commute.
 Sam's constant complaints about his job and boss became a source of frustration for Priya, who expressed a desire for him to be happier and
to leave work stress at the workplace.

5. Coping Mechanisms and Health Issues:

 Sam tried to change his focus during his commute, thinking about upcoming house projects.
 Priya pointed out an increase in Sam's drinking, prompting him to consciously limit his alcohol intake.
 Despite efforts to separate work and home life, Sam experienced stomach pain and gastro-intestinal problems, leading to sick days and a
doctor's visit.

6. Medical Advice and Job Stress:

 After an examination, the doctor attributed Sam's health issues to work-related stress and advised him to consider finding a new job.
Question 1.

What hindrance and challenge stressors does Sam face at Sentinel and outside of work? Create a
list of stressors categorized under work and nonwork environments. Explain how they may be inter­
acting across work and nonwork domains.

Work Stressors at Sentinel: Nonwork Stressors: Interaction Across Work and Nonwork Domains:

Challenge Stressors:  Work Stress Impacting Nonwork: The hostile

Challenge Stressors: work environment, project uncertainties, and
1. Project Prioritization Uncertainty workload contribute to stress that spills over
2. Complexity of Ongoing Projects 1. Commute into Sam's personal life, affecting his
3. Unrealistic Workload 2. Homeownership and Renovations relationship with Priya.
4. Attribution of Ideas 3. Marriage Adjustment
 Nonwork Stress Impacting Work: Challenges
Hindrance Stressors: Hindrance Stressors:
such as the long commute, home projects, and
4. Limited Time for Exercise personal health issues may affect Sam's focus,
5. Inconsistent Feedback
5. Unhealthy Eating Habits energy levels, and overall performance at work.
6. Hostile Work Environment
7. Conflict with Colleagues 6. Increased Alcohol Consumption
8. Lack of Recognition
Question 2.

What coping mechanisms has Sam applied/can Sam apply as a way of managing the different stres­sors in his
life? What could Sam do differently to reduce hindrance stressors?

Coping Mechanisms Applied by Sam:

• Attempted Focus Shift
• Limiting Alcohol Intake
• Seeking Support from Rhonda Reducing Hindrance Stressors:
• Resume Update and Job Search
• Clarification and Feedback
• Conflict Resolution
• Recognition and Appreciation
Additional Coping Strategies for • Job Redesign or Transfer
Sam:
• Establishing Boundaries
• Effective Communication
• Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques
• Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Question 3.

Describe the emotions Sam is experiencing as he faces the different stressors. Explain how these
emotions may be compounded by others (especially Marcus and CJ). What physical signs of strain do you
notice in Sam? How are the emotions impacting Sam’s work?

Emotions Experienced by Compound Effects:

Physical Signs of Strain in Sam:
Sam:
1. Interaction with Marcus: Marcus's
1. Stomach Pain and Gastro-intestinal
1. Frustration and Irritation inconsistent behavior, verbal abuse, and failure
Issues
2. Helplessness to recognize Sam's efforts compound feelings
3. Anger of frustration, anger, and helplessness. Impact on Sam's Work:
4. Stress and Anxiety
5. Regret 2. Interaction with CJ: Sam witnessing the 2. Decreased Concentration
unfair treatment of CJ by Marcus intensifies 3. Increased Sick Leave
the negative emotions, creating a hostile and 4. Job Dissatisfaction
unsupportive atmosphere within the team. 5. Consideration of Quitting
Question 4.

What are the ways Sam could have approached his situation differently to reduce his stress and
strain?

1. Open Communication with Marcus

2. Establishing Boundaries
3. Seeking Mentorship or Guidance
4. Conflict Resolution with Marcus
5. Recognition and Appreciation
6. Mindfulness and Stress Management Techniques
7. Healthy Lifestyle Choice
8. Proactive Job Search:
9. Conflict Resolution with CJ
10. Utilizing Support from Rhonda