The marshal
Q1
The ultimatum at the chair manufacturing corporation indicates a unique conflict situation that limits the firm’s success. One of the challenging aspects of the situation is that the conflict is caused by a single employee who has a significant impact on the firm’s success. As a result, unlike in other situations where such an employee would be laid off, Marshall Gordon’s role in the organization cannot be easily dismissed. Additionally, Marshall’s conflict with other employees has not been open and has only been detected by employee departure from the firm. As an effective leader, there are a series of steps that I would take to understand the situation.
First, I would communicate with the other employees to have a detailed understanding of why they do not like working with Marshall. The insights I would get would then help me to design the next move. For instance, I would strive to devise strategies to help the employees cope with his behavior. For instance, if the employees do not like how Marshall addresses them, I would modify the reporting architecture in a manner that they will report to another individual. Learning all the details would help me to be candid receptive to the issue at hand. I would put the issue on the table to be discussed by all the stakeholders involved. Additionally, I would make all the stakeholders understand that it is okay for such conflicts to exist and that we are trying to find a solution to fix the problem.
Lastly, I would try to make Marshall understand why other employees are finding it difficult to work with him. I would listen carefully to his perspectives and opinions on the conflict and help him to be accountable for his actions. The meeting would help me make sure that he understands the decisions made to resolve the conflict. The decision to lay him off would be based on whether he agrees to change his behavior or not.
Q2
Marshall, poor leadership skills can be attributed to numerous factors. For instance, since he is the best within the organization, he might look down on other employees as less suitable for the job. When employees feel unappreciated, they will tend to feel less comfortable working with such a leader. Secondly, Marshall could be being a bossy boss. Typically, bossy bosses are easy to spot and quickly become unbearable, thus explaining why other employees are finding it difficult to work with him. Such a leader does not appreciate the efforts being made by others and keep on dancing around hard decisions. As a result, bossy leaders can become very frustrating. Another leadership skill Marshall could be lacking is listening skills. Despite employees finding it difficult to comment on their seniors’ leadership skills, they will always be expressing their dissatisfaction. Marshall has clearly failed to even or listens to how his behavior affects other employees.
Q3
One of the best methods to help Marshall in becoming a good leader is by making him understand his leadership style and the firm’s expectation from his role. Secondly, the firm should enroll Marshall in leadership training programs that will enable him to understand his leadership drawbacks. Lastly, I would serve as a role model and a mentor. I would help use my leadership skills to model Marshall to fit the leadership profile that will benefit everyone.