Meet Jos > Jos works for a transportation company in Miami. He works on the loading dock but has been taking business courses part-time at a local community college. He was married recently and has a baby on the way. He is a good performer but is interested in moving up in the organization. He approached his boss, Kim, and asked how he could learn new skills that would prepare him for the next level, which would be a supervisory position with oversight of seven workers on the dock. His boss listened to his situation and asked questions regarding Jos's specific job-related interests and career plans. Jos told his boss that he had been taking courses, including an organizational behavior course in which he learned leadership skills. Kim was surprised since she didn't know that Jos was attending college and he never missed work. She promised to meet with the general manager and discuss Jos's increasing qualifications and interests. BROWARD COLLEGE Jos's Story Continues After discussion, management decided to pay for Jos's tuition but encouraged him to wait until he completed his bachelor's degree so that he could focus on building his management and leadership skills. They promised to consider him for a promotion when he completed his degree. > Jos was somewhat disappointed but was even more motivated to finish hool and appreciated the tuition support. Jos became even more dedicated to his job and the organization. > He became one of the best employees in the company and the informal leader of the dock workers. He proactively advocated and protected the reputation of the company outside the organization. For example, another worker was stealing from the boxes on the loading dock and Jos stopped him and reported it to Kim. > Two years later, Jos completed his degree, and the company held a party for him and his family celebrating his achievement. As promised, when a supervisor left the company, Jos was promoted into a management position. He always remembered Kim's encouragement and treated his followers the same way-by listening and supporting their goals. BROWARD COLLEGE Meet Paula Paula recently graduated from college with a bachelor's degree in accounting and landed her dream job as an accountant/analyst at a financial services company. > Paula was excited about the new opportunity to showcase her skills and contribute to the company. On her first day, Paula arrived early to make a good impression. Her new boss, Jennifer, wasn't there to see her arrive early. When she did arrive, she breezed past Paula's cubicle without saying anything. > Paula noticed that other people in the office acted the same way that Jennifer did. No one in the office acknowledged Paula's presence or introduced themselves to her. > Paula thought that the cubicle environment was sterile. She had not seen it before starting the job since she had been interviewed in a conference room. BROWARD COLLEGE Paula's Story Continues > Jennifer immediately put Paula to work, however. Her first assigned task was to prepare a bank reconciliation. She had completed a similar assignment in an accounting class, but this was somewhat different and more complex. Paula began working on it but reached a point where she needed help to finish it. > She went to Jennifer for help, but Jennifer told her to figure it out by herself. She remarked, I am so busy right now, I just don't have time to teach you what you should already know how to do." Paula was shocked at Jennifer's response and felt overwhelmed by her new job. She returned to her desk and continued to work on the reconciliation, which took her 3 days to complete. > Although she was proud of herself for completing it, she was still concerned that her boss wouldn't help her and began to doubt herself and whether she was qualified for the job. BROWARD COLLEGE Paula's Story - The Results 10 > > Over the next year that Paula worked for the company, Jennifer gave Paula low-level tasks that were not challenging and didn't provide any opportunities to learn. Also, Jennifer never provided Paula with feedback on her work. Paula received no training beyond the online orientation and videos on company policies required by corporate headquarters. > As a result, Paula spent most of her days alone in her cubicle and even ate her lunch there, which she packed and brought from home. She did her job but put in minimal effort and spent her time looking for another job. > Her first performance appraisal by Jennifer was mostly negative, and she was told that she didn't perform to standards and did not show initiative. After this appraisal, Paula took a job at another company for less money. BROWARD COLLEGE Assignment Instructions Answer the following questions thoroughly. Provide language and evidence taken directly from the course and course concepts. Define all organizational behavior terms and explain all theories. 1. Compare the experiences of the two employees (Jos and Paula). Which boss would you rather work for? Why? 2. Think about the path-goal theory that was covered in this chapter and determine which leadership styles are exemplified in the two scenarios. Which ones should have been used? 3. What steps could Paula have taken to develop a higher-quality LMX relationship or "manage her boss" more effectively? Do you think this would have worked in this case? 4. What were the outcomes for each of the employees and companies in these two scenarios? Thinking about these outcomes, why is it important for organizations to have effective leaders? BROWARD COLLEGE