Case : The law offices of Jeter, Jackson, Guidry, and Boyer are currently expanding larger than ever anticipated. In an attempt to maintain effectiveness within its operations, the firm decided to hire a general manager who would oversee the "business" side of the organization. This is how Brad Howser entered the picture.
While Brad initially started off quietly in his new position as General Manager, it did not take him too long to begin a reign of potential chaos and unrest within the firm. Brad's management skills included being unreasonable, unsympathetic, and indomitable. These skills were decidedly proving to be unsuccessful and unacceptable at the law firm. Employee and client dissatisfaction began to run very high and extra costs, such as public relation funding, exceeded established boundaries. Brad is not handling things well at all at the firm and the partners are very displeased. Now they want to find a solution for correcting this problem before it is too late for the business.
Q1: Do you agree with Brad's suggestion to "sit tight and ride out the storm", or should the partners take some action immediately? If so, what action specifically?
Q2: Assume that the creation of the GM Operations position was a good decision. What leadership style and type of individual would you try to place in this position?
Q3: Consider your own leadership style. What types of positions and situations should you seek out? What types of positions and situations should you seek to avoid? Why?