Pam Beesly was the "golden girl" of metropolitan government in a large midwestern city. The top graduate of a local high school, she studied in France and interned at Vogue in Paris before returning to the States to get an MBA, and she landed a position with a top New York PR firm. She knew everyone, and chatting with or "doing lunch" with the rich and famous was a typical day for Beesly. The only child of a single mom, Beesly dropped it all and willingly returned to her midwestern hometown when her mother's health declined suddenly. She had barely settled in and established home care for her mother when the mayor's office contacted her with a job proposal. Would Beesly consider a position developing and directing a public arts program for the city? She enthusiastically accepted the job. With her winning connections, drive, and abilities, she quickly expanded her mission to develop various arts programs. Donations and grant money poured into programs under her established nonprofit organization designed to support city parks. Headquarters for Beesly and her staff was a comfortable, unused third-floor space in the city library that used to hold books and magazines that were now stored digitally. Then Micahel Scott, director of parks and recreation, summoned her to a meeting "to learn of a decision I have made that will affect your group." Beesly was curious to find out what was going on. Knowing that budget factors recently forced a reduction in staff and office space throughout city government and aware of the importance of dealing carefully with public opinion and the feelings of employees and other stakeholders, Beesly felt that she was prepared for any decision Scott might have reached. She tried to get comfortable in the chair across from Scott, who seemed ill at ease. Avoiding small talk, Scott said that he intentionally did not discuss the decision in advance because he believed Beesly would object. He indicated he would not accept her objections anyway, so the decision was final. "What is the decision?" asked Beesly. "The mayor wants half of your group's office space for the Greenways project," Scott replied, "and I see no alternative except for you to agree. So her idea makes sense, and you must go along." Beesly felt fury rising in her chest as she stared at Scott, thinking, "This people-pleasing, brown-nosing jerk. He will do anything to win the mayor's favor." The Greenways project, directed by Angela Martin, developed several beautiful areas throughout the city. In recent years, Greenways had received the bulk of new money and attention from the federal government, and Martin's staff had grown with the additional funding and development projects. As Beesly regained her composure, she shot back at Scott, "Not consulting me on this is unacceptable. I should be part of any decision affecting my staff and program. I could have helped plan a solution that worked for everyone." Scott started to speak, but Beesly cut him off. "You have a responsibility to my group, as well as to Mayor Levinson and the other projects of this city. I think you are giving us the shaft as an easy way to please her." The two argued a while longer, but Scott wouldn't budge. Finally, Beesly said, "Michael, since this was your decision, you should be the one to tell my people. You better come over soon before the word gets out." "No," Scott said, "you are their immediate boss. You have to tell them. That's your job. Where is your team spirit, anyway?" Beesly returned to her office, seething, and vented about the problem to Kelly Kapoor, her most senior employee. "Oh no," Kelly moaned. "We really need all this space. Our program is growing, too." Beesly agreed, but she explained Scott's support of the suggestion from the mayor's office to make additional office space available to Angela Martin and her staff. Kelly started brainstorming. "I suppose we could pair up in the offices." Beesly shook her head. "We are team players. But Michael Scott and the mayor need to know that this was not handled in a way that shows respect for our employees." Then, after a pause, she continued, "I'm too frazzled to think about it anymore today. Let's talk about this tomorrow." Questions: 1. What mistakes do you think Michael Scott made with how he solved the problem of limited office space? Explain. 2. What are Pam Beesly's options for responding to Scott's decision? What should she do now? Why