As Barry looked out the window of his office in Toronto, the gloomy October skies obscured his usual view of CN Tower. "That figures," Barry thought to himself - his mood was just as gloomy.
Five months ago, last May, Barry's company, CTM, a relatively small but growing technology company, reorganized itself. Although such reorganizations often imperil careers, Barry felt the change only improved his position. Barry's co-worker, Raphael, was promoted to a different department, which made sense since because Raphael had been with the company for a few more years, and had worked with the CEO on a successful project. Because Raphael was promoted and their past work roles were so similar, Barry thought his own promotion was soon to come.
However, six 6 weeks ago, Barry's boss left. Raphael was transferred back to the same department, and became Barry's boss. Although Barry felt a bit overlooked, he knew he was still relatively junior in the company, and felt that his good past relationship with Raphael would bode well for his future prospects.
The past six 6 weeks, however, had brought nothing but disappointment. Although Raphael often told Barry he was doing a great job, drawing from several observations, Barry felt that opinion was not being shared with the higher-ups. Worse, a couple of Barry's friends in the company showed Barry several e-mails where Raphael had taken credit for Barry's work.
"Raphael is not the person I thought he was," thought Barry.
What was his future in the company if no one saw the outcomes of his hard work? How would it affect his career to work for someone who apparently was willing to do anything to get ahead, even at others' expense? He thought about looking for work, but that prospect only darkened his mood further. He liked the company. He felt he did good work there. As Barry looked again out his window, a light rain began to fall. The CN Tower was no more visible than before. He just didn't know what to do.
Sources: Based on M. G. McIntyre, "Disgruntlement Won't Advance Your Career," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (September 23, 2012), downloaded May 14, 2013, from www.post-gazette.com/; and S. Shellenbarger, "What to Do with a Workplace Whiner," The Wall Street Journal (September 12, 2012), pp D1, D3.
Questions:
- Should Barry complain about his treatment? To whom? If he did complain, what power tactics should Barry use?
- Studies have shown that those prone to complaining tend to have less power in an organization. Do you think complaining leads to diminished power and influence, or the other way around? How can Barry avoid appearing to be a complainer?
- Based on the research of Raven and French (1959), what type of power is Raphael using?
- Is Raphael's taking credit for Barry's work point to larger management issue as well as point to the way power is used in this organizational culture?
- Do you think Barry should look for another job? Why or why not?