When the men’s complaint reaches the city’s human resources department, how would you advise them to respond? Why?
Martha has become the supervisor of a group of seven building inspectors working for a city government in a large metropolitan area. The group includes five men and two women. Martha was hired for this position after spending twelve years working as the supervisor of a similar group of building inspectors in a smaller city.
The Issue
When she assumes her position, she learns that two of her subordinates, both men, had applied to become the group’s supervisor but were denied the promotion. They resent working for Martha. In addition, Martha notices a lot of animosity between the men and women on her team. The men are all in their 50s and 60s, while the women are both in their 30s. The men routinely stress that they have considerably more experience than the women, giving the impression they think the women are poorly qualified for the job. Martha has overheard other insults that the men have uttered against the women. She also has noticed that the men tend to socialize together but refuse to include the women. Overall, the group has a poor working relationship with a clear division between the men and women.
Martha thinks that the men are demonstrating chauvinistic attitudes that likely were developed in childhood. She suspects the men grew up in male dominated households and were never taught to respect women in the workforce, particularly if those women work in fields traditionally regarded as more appropriate for men.
Martha decides that she and everyone on her team should take the Myers-Briggs Type Inventory and then attend a series of training sessions where they focus on understanding their own personality type, as well as the personality types of their team, including Martha. She wants them to use this information to develop a set of ground rules for how they will interact and work together. She hopes this will improve the work environment.
When Martha discusses this plan with her team, the women readily agree to take the MBTI and attend the training sessions. The men do not and file a complaint with the city’s human resources department, arguing that requiring them to take the MBTI and attend this training is an infringement on their rights.
1. How would you describe the dynamics of this situation? How can the psychodynamic approach to leadership help with these issues?
2. Do you agree or disagree with Martha’s approach to this situation? Why or why not?
3. What advice would you offer Martha as she continues to lead this group?
4. When the men’s complaint reaches the city’s human resources department, how would you advise them to respond? Why?
Collepals.com Plagiarism Free Papers
Are you looking for custom essay writing service or even dissertation writing services? Just request for our write my paper service, and we'll match you with the best essay writer in your subject! With an exceptional team of professional academic experts in a wide range of subjects, we can guarantee you an unrivaled quality of custom-written papers.
Get ZERO PLAGIARISM, HUMAN WRITTEN ESSAYS
Why Hire Collepals.com writers to do your paper?
Quality- We are experienced and have access to ample research materials.
We write plagiarism Free Content
Confidential- We never share or sell your personal information to third parties.
Support-Chat with us today! We are always waiting to answer all your questions.
