Responses to Jack Thomas Case

1. Discuss the context and the issues in the case from the perspective of Thomas, Donahoe and Ford.

Thomas is an up-and-coming Harvard Business School student who has proven himself multiple times as a new employee at Arcon, while avoiding being cocky. He feels welcomed by Ford and rebuffed by Donahoe, who works under Ford. Thomas was approached by Ford to work under Donahoe in New York after a series of successes in Morocco and Geneva. On the other hand, Donahoe dislikes Thomas and fails to mask this feeling. One instance that added to this animosity was when Ford came down on Donahoe for going over budget when Donahoe was simply reporting Thomas’ mistakes to Ford. Ford’s main concern is his and the company’s reputation. He continues to place blame on Donahoe for going over the marketing budget and inconspicuously asks Thomas to spy on the budget and observe the process and problems within the division.

2. What are the power and political dynamics at Arcon? Does Thomas get them?

Arcon is very hierarchical and titles and position clearly matter. Thomas clearly wants to move up in the company and uses opportunities from and his relationship with Ford to do so. Keeping Donahoe out of the loop is a power play that Ford uses to exert unnecessary power over him. Thomas understands the dynamics of their relationship and realizes that Ford may be setting Donahoe up for failure.

3. How you rate Thomas' interpersonal influence and power behaviors?

Thomas used persuasion, influence, networking, assertiveness, and other influencing tactics. He is fluent in this behavior but needs to learn to communicate with the appropriate parties more often than not. He does still act like a student at times, but mostly understands the power dynamics at Arcon.

4. Analyze the pros and cons with how