Case $1$: Layla and Assif

Layla has just been promoted to manager of a branch of the national bank that she works for. Her boss at head office, Assif, is a real $$go$-$getter,$$ and has high hopes for Layla. He wants her to make the branch one of the bank$$s top performers. Layla has worked her way through the ranks, so she understands the challenges that frontline staff face. So$,$ one of her first decisions is to increase her five most experienced clerks$$ pay, to bring them in line with other administrative personnel in the bank.

But, when Assif hears about this, he gets angry. He calls her up to tell her that it$$s a risky move, and that she should have run it by him first. He$$s worried that it will set a precedent for other branches in his region, and that her decision will make him look like he doesn$$t have control over his people.

In response, Layla stands her ground. She tells him that she is prepared to back up her decision with performance measurements, which she will update him on regularly.

A few weeks later, a regional $$Women In Business$$ magazine approaches Layla to write an article about her job and career progression. She$$s very excited and sees it as a great chance to inspire other women about the finance industry, and to promote her branch and her approach to customer service.

However, the day after the magazine is published, Assif calls Layla to express his disappointment that she didn$$t consult him before agreeing to the interview. He points out that the bank has communication and public relations specialists who are trained to handle media inquiries, and that she should have informed them too.

A month or so later, a customer comes into the branch with a $$10,000$ check in foreign currency. He$$s a longstanding customer who has had an account with the branch for over $35$ years. However, the bank$$s policy is that any foreign$-$currency check deposit over $$2,500$ must be held for five days until the money clears from the originating bank. Layla explains this to the customer and tells him that, unfortunately, she isn$$t authorized to clear the funds immediately.

About an hour later, she receives a call from Assif. He is livid. The customer rang head office, asking if anything could be done to clear his funds more quickly. Assif reminds Layla that this is a longstanding customer, and that, as well as his current account, he also has a mortgage and significant investments with the bank.

Assif says she should have used more common sense, and that he is very upset that he now has to run damage control for her. When Layla gets off the phone, she$$s ready to quit.

Questions :

$1.$ Do you think that Layla is empowered in her job? Why? Why not?

$2.$ Do you think Assif empowers or disempowers Layla? Why?

$3.$ What can Assif do differently to make sure that Layla doesn$$t quit?

$4.$ What advice would you give to Layla for dealing with Assif $?$