Question

Mary and George both work for a software development company. The manager of the new product division was originally the leader of the project team for which she interviewed and hired George. Mary, another project team member, also interviewed George but strongly opposed hiring him for the project because she thought he was not competent to do the job.

Seven months after George was hired, the manager left the project to start her own company and recommended that George and Mary serve as joint project leaders. Mary agreed reluctantly with the stipulation that it be made clear she was not working for George. The General Manager consented; Mary and George were to share the project leadership.

Within a month Mary was angry because George was representing himself to others as the leader of the entire project and giving the impression that Mary was working for him. Now Mary and George are meeting with you to see if you can resolve the conflict between them.

Mary says: "Right after the joint leadership arrangement was reached with the General Manager, George called a meeting of the project team without even consulting me about the time or content. He just told me when it was being held and said I should be there. At the meeting, George reviewed everyone's duties line by line, including mine, treating me as just another team member working for him. He sends out letters and signs himself as project director, which obviously implies to others that I am working for him."

George says: "Mary is all hung up with feelings of power and titles. Just because I sign myself as project director doesn't mean she is working for me. I don't see anything to get excited about. What difference does it make? She is too sensitive about everything. I call a meeting and right away she thinks I'm trying to run everything. Mary has other things to do? other projects to run? so she doesn't pay too much attention to this one. She mostly lets things slide. But when I take the initiative to set up a meeting, she starts jumping up and down about how I am trying to make her work for me."

How will you resolve this conflict and what will be your recommendation?

1. George and Mary seem to have several conflicts occurring simultaneously. Identify as many of these individual conflicts as possible.

2. What are the possible ways to deal with the conflict between George and Mary (not just the

ones that you would recommend, but all of the options)?

3. Given all the benefits of retrospection, what could or should have been done to avoid this conflict in the first place?

4. What is your recommendation to resolve the issues?

5. How can this be avoided in the future?

Answer 1

Answer 1=

If we look at the given case, it is evident that there are a number of issues that are prevailing between Marry and George. The first and most important issue is the tarry has the feeling that George is not competent enough to manage the different things and this led to a skewed perception about George and she also doubts the capabilities of George. They both have a lack of mutual respect for each other. Apart from this marry also has the issue with the title and the authority

Answer 2=

In order to resolve the given situation, there must be a clear distinction between the responsibilities that are to be performed by the two individuals. Both individuals must operate with each other in coordination without breaching the matter and tasks of each other and have coordinated efforts with each other. Both of them can use the title of Co-Project Director and it ill indicates that they both have the share of responsibility and no single individual is responsible for the project. Marry should also focus on the project completely and if she is not able to do so then George must be given the complete responsibility of managing the project. Both must respect the suggestion and feelings of each other.

Answer 3=

Both individuals must try to avoid any sort of conflict. They must respect each other and accommodate the views and suggestions of each other. I the beginning of the conflict, the management must interfere and resolve the issue. Different tasks, goals, and objectives may be given to each one of them independently The focus should be on proper management of the project and avoiding the conflict.

Answer 4= Following suggestions can be given=

There must be a proper distinction between the roles and responsibilities of both individuals.

If there is ay clash between the individuals, their manager must resolve it after having the meeting between the two

Both must be working in coordination and corporation.

If there is any clash of interest, they must negotiate a win-win situation

The management must also act proactively