Submitted by: Submitted by aries2276
Views: 240
Words: 435
Pages: 2
Category: Other Topics
Date Submitted: 06/20/2012 06:59 PM
Description
John Baker chief Engineer of Caribbean Bauxite Company was promoted to production manager of a Canadian enterprise. His final task is to conduct an assessment interview of his successor, Matthew Rennalls an able Barracanian. Although Baker, English expatriate felt he has a better understanding of getting along well with the locals the crucial interview proved to be a disaster when Rennalls handed over his resignation letter.
Diagnosis
The root problem is the style of communication that led to conflict between Baker and Rennall. Baker very well knew that Rennall was prejudiced and is very sensitive to “any sign of condescension part of expatriate”. Further proof was Rennalls got along well with fellow Barracanians and his constant rudeness to other European employees in the company which even came up the previous year when discussing Rennalls staff report.
Theory
In Baker’s defense he attempted to solve the problem by presenting plus and minus of Rennalls work to inspire him. Eager to break the “barrier” between him and Rennall and in an attempt to become his “friend” Baker thought he was complementing Rennall for being able to overcome challenges in the company given the country’s economic development of only 50 years when compared to Europe’s which is around 200 to 300 years. Already prejudiced this did not sit well with Rennalls and he presumed that Baker was insulting his culture and people. According to the textbook there are guidelines to interpret others nonverbal behavior. One is to notice the difference between nonverbal behavior and statements and if there is a mismatch it needs to be examined closely. If Baker noticed the subtleties in Rennalls behavior (one of the suggestion to improve nonverbal communication) he would have apologized immediately or corrected the statement and avoided the conflict.
Prescription
Short term Fix: A meeting between Baker and Rennalls to clarify what was said and apology from Baker to...