Question

Instructions:

Read Case Study 13.1 Page 325 “The Talkative Boss” Make certain your writing style is it clear and concise, well-organized, and grammatically correct. Answer the Minicase questions. Remember to provide a complete reason in defense of your answer.

Use the following format to do your assignment:

I. Introduction- in a few sentences describes the case and tells how your paper will be organized.

II. Analyzes the case questions- You must include the question in your answer.

III. Conclusion - Briefly summarize the essential difficulties posed in this case and the relevance of your recommended solutions.

The Talkative Boss

Suzanne, a claims adjuster, looked up from her desk as she saw her boss, Aaron, approaching. Suzanne muttered to herself, “I hope Aaron has a brief question related to my job. I don’t have time to talk with him this morning. If I don’t get this complicated claim processed this morning, the sales department will be screaming at me.”

“Hi Suzanne,” said Aaron. “It looks like another beautiful day here in Monterey. There’s not a cloud in the sky. It’s criminal to be inside on such a nice day. My family and I would love to be down at the beach. How are things going for you today?”

“Nothing too bad is happening,” said Suzanne. “I’ll be caught up with my work soon. I’m on a rush job right now. The sales department is pushing me to get this complicated claim finished by noon today.”

“Suzanne, don’t let the sales department hassle you. They want everything right away. Somehow the sales department doesn’t realize that claims adjusting takes a lot of painful attention to detail. Better late than lousy, I always say.”

“I don’t disagree with you, Aaron. It’s just that not getting a claim processed on time makes me a little nervous. We could lose a big customer by being late on paying this claim.”

“Don’t be so uptight, Suzanne. You’re too young for high blood pressure or a coronary,” responded Aaron.

Aaron proceeded to engage Suzanne in general conversation for another 15 minutes before he received a text message from his assistant. “Sorry we don’t have enough time to finish our business,” said Aaron as he left Suzanne’s cubicle.

Suzanne then worked through her lunch hour and turned in her claims report one hour late. Perplexed, she telephoned Lori, a coworker in another department, and asked if she would be able to meet on a bench outside the office building after work for a few minutes.

After the two were comfortably seated, Suzanne lamented to Lori: “I just don’t know what to do about Aaron. He’s gobbling up my time. At least three days a week he sits in front of my desk chatting for fifteen minutes about nothing in particular. If I look like I want him to leave, he becomes annoyed. Once when I tried to politely get Aaron away from my desk, he told me that our conference was not over until he said it was.”

“What really worries me is that Aaron sometimes chastises me for being late with my work, when it is he who is making me late. The whole thing has become a ridiculous problem. Any suggestions?”

Case Questions

To what extent should Suzanne be so concerned about Aaron taking up her time?

What should Suzanne do to preserve her relationship with her boss, yet still get her work accomplished on time?

Should Suzanne work extra hours to make up for the time she loses in small talk with Aaron?

What specific techniques about boss relationships apply to this case?

Answer 1

To what extent should Suzanne be so concerned about Aaron taking up her time?

Casual informal talks are normal in every organization that builds up the emotional relationship which is important for your recognition as the boss will knows your limits and can favour you in case of need. There should not be much concern about this rather act smartly and actively diplomatic to deliver your thoughts and to manage your time just like you avoid your relative calls, similarly, you have to avoid his talks.

What should Suzanne do to preserve her relationship with her boss, yet still get her work accomplished on time?

She should act smartly, she needs to use smart gestures to make him aware that she is no more interested. Say, you can move your legs, straight, crossed or you may get your laptop in hand and move to your colleague showing you have some work to done or when he come to your seat, don’t be seated, stand up and give expressions as if you are in hurry. This way she can avoid him whenever she needs.

Should Suzanne work extra hours to make up for the time she loses in small talk with Aaron?

No, she shouldn’t but however she may use this technique once in a while to show his boss that he has spoiled his time and hence she is has to sit for late hours.

What specific techniques about boss relationships apply to this case?

• Smart body language with different gestures
• Interrupt technique a little not much
• Message or email and avoid face to face
• Talk to him when he is about to go for a meeting
• Share the time limit of talk in advance say I have 15mins only then will have a meeting or a call.