HR Assignment II

By Kripa Raj, MBA Section- A Case Study: The Mentor Relationship turns Upside Down
1. What is Carols role in Walters career development now? Should Larchmont have any such role? Why or why not? A. Carols role is very crucial in Walters career development as she has to take up the job or duties that were assigned to Walter and handle them in a manner that Walter wasnt able to. As of now, in her new role Carol will be required to use new strategies and methods so as to make the new venture successful which would require her to undo many of the steps or work done by Walter. If Carol takes up this work, Walter would have to work as her subordinate. This situation would seem as a downfall in ones career and Walter may feel a bit uneasy in that position. But, in all Walter would be able to learn a lot of new strategies that would help him to succeed more in life as he has ample amount of experience to support that. Its not that this was the last chance in Walters career development, with all the new strategies hell learn in this situation, he would be able to get more opportunities in future. So, this is kind of learning exposure in terms of career development. Decision of having this kind of role depends upon Larchmont. There are two ways in which the firm may take up the decision:If Larchmont thinks in terms of development for the firm, i.e. the growth of the firm, they would go for this role and work as a team to complete this venture, where Carol and Walter both would have to accept the roles the way they are as described by the management. Whereas, if Larchmont thinks and works in favor of the employees in terms of retaining the employees and maintaining good relationship among them, they should not go for such a role as they would be knowing about the mentoring relation between Walter and Carol well. Also, in this situation, it is suggested that they should put Carol and Walter in a team and give them equal rights on taking a decision, i.e. an equal level or position in a team, which would bring out the best in them as they are comfortable working with each other. In that way, Larchmont would be able to get both Walters experience and Carols new strategies in order to make the venture successful.

Contd 2. What advice would you offer Carol for approaching Walter? A. We would advise Carol to take up the whole situation lightly. Taking into consideration that Walter was her mentor for a long time, they both would have a very good and healthy relationship. So, Carol should boldly approach Walter, have a discussion with him and make him feel comfortable about this situation. She should make him understand that she will not be able to handle this role without his suggestions and experience and would need his advice at every step. She should also make sure that, Walter is not feeling uneasy about the whole role turnover thing and make him understand that this would be like a learning experience for him and help him in his career development. 3. If Carol has to discuss Walter, how specifically would you suggest she proceed? A. She should proceed in a professional way. Before taking this job up, firstly, she should go and discuss this with Walter and make sure hes comfortable in this situation. Secondly, she should get back to the management, discuss the whole situation with them, explaining about the whole mentoring relationship between her and Walter and ask them if they really wanted this whole role turnover thing, they should put her and Walter in a team and provide an equal role to both of them, so that both, Carol and Walter are comfortable and can work together to give out better results.

4. Assume Carol has heard a rumor that Walter had considered resigning. What should she do about it? A. If she hears something like that, she should immediately approach Walter and talk about the whole situation with him, console him and make him feel comfortable. She should make him feel like her mentor as he has been always and also tell him that however is the role; she wouldnt be able to complete this without his help and his experiences. This would make him feel more important and relaxed. She should also tell him, that she would discuss the same with the management and make sure they take decisions, that both of them agree to. Once again, before approaching the management with her idea, she should ask Walter and make sure he is fine with working with Carol in a team.