MGMT 409 Conflict and Resolution Management Case Study CASE STUDY: MARY AND GEORGE: WHO IS THE RIGHTFUL LEADER A Case Study on Conflict Management Mary a

MGMT 409 Conflict and Resolution Management Case Study CASE STUDY: MARY AND GEORGE: WHO IS THE RIGHTFUL LEADER

A Case Study on Conflict Management

Mary and George both work for a software development company. The manager of the new product division was originally the leader of the project team for which she interviewed and hired George. Mary, another project team member, also interviewed George but strongly opposed hiring him for the project because she thought he was not competent to do the job.

Seven months after George was hired, the manager left the project to start her own company and recommended that George and Mary serve as joint project leaders. Mary agreed reluctantly with the stipulation that it be made clear she was not working for George. The General Manager consented; Mary and George were to share the project leadership.

Within a month Mary was angry because George was representing himself to others as the leader of the entire project and giving the impression that Mary was working for him. Now Mary and George are meeting with you to see if you can resolve the conflict between them.

Mary says: “Right after the joint leadership arrangement was reached with the General Manager, George called a meeting of the project team without even consulting me about the time or content. He just told me when it was being held and said I should be there. At the meeting, George reviewed everyone’s duties line by line, including mine, treating me as just another team member working for him. He sends out letters and signs himself as project director, which obviously implies to others that I am working for him.”

George says: “Mary is all hung up with feelings of power and titles. Just because I sign myself as project director doesn’t mean she is working for me. I don’t see anything to get excited about. What difference does it make? She is too sensitive about everything. I call a meeting and right away she thinks I’m trying to run everything. Mary has other things to do? other projects to run? so she doesn’t pay too much attention to this one. She mostly lets things slide. But when I take the initiative to set up a meeting, she starts jumping up and down about how I am trying to make her work for me.”

How will you resolve this conflict and what will be your recommendation?

In solving this case study, you need to follow the case study format given earlier posted in Moodle. Please be guided by the following:

George and Mary seem to have several conflicts occurring simultaneously. Identify as many of these individual conflicts as possible.
What are the possible ways to deal with the conflict between George and Mary (not just the

ones that you would recommend, but all of the options)?

Given all the benefits of retrospection, what could or should have been done to avoid this conflict in the first place?
What is your recommendation to resolve the issues?
I Executive Summary
II Statement of the Problem
III Analysis and Discussion
IV Decision Criteria / Alternative

Solutions

V Recommended Solution and
Justification
VI References