Have you been communicating with the customers to see which have hard dealines and which have more flexibility?

Assignment 2
For this assignment, please refer to Chapters 1 -11 in the Simpson book as well as the supplemental material posted in Module 2. Then, after reading the scenario below, please answer the questions that follow.
Organizations by Michael K. Simpson, (2014) ISBN# 139781477824009
Workplace Conversation Senario
Kye has been with the company for almost 3 years, and was originally hired based on his exceptional on-the-job performance as a college intern. He was a top performer in his first year with the company and was selected for a 6 week management training program. While he seems to have a solid foundation of the KSAs needed to be successful as a manager, he is having a difficult time with the efficiency of his work group and making sure market research projects are completed on time. He wants to build his career with the company, and is concerned about his next performance review. As a senior manager, Kye asks for Ana’s help.
Kye: Can I talk to you for a few minutes? You have been here a long time and I hope you can help me with a problem I just can’t seem to fix.
Ana: I’d be glad to talk about it, but first, have you mentioned this to your supervisor?
Kye: No, because I’m afraid she will think I am not up for the job. I realize I am new to this, and I think she does too, but I’m just really messing up basic things and it’s creating a big problem for me.
Ana: Ok, tell me more. Why do you think you have a problem?
Kye: I’m using all the techniques that were in the handouts I got in the training classes but I just can’t seem to get my group to meet every project deadline on time. I can’t seem to get a ‘feel’ for my job if that makes sense, and I just don’t know how to make it all work.
Ana: When you say “make it all work” what do you mean? In other words, what would an ideal situation look like to you?
Kye: To me it would be where every project flows through my workgroup more efficiently and they are all completed on time. Right now things are always getting hung up, and there are always more people working on a tasks than needed.
Ana: Is that realistic?
Kye: What do you mean?
Ana: Do you expect each and every project to be completed on time?
Kye: Well, they have to, don’t they?
Ana: The deadlines depend on the internal customer. Some projects will take more priority over others, right?
Kye; Well, yes.
Ana: So you do have some room to negotiate completion dates. Have you been communicating with the customers to see which have hard dealines and which have more flexibility?
Kye: No, I haven’t. Again, I didn’t think that was part of my role.
Ana: Negotiating deadlines is a part of the job. Is that something you feel might be challenging?
Kye: As a matter of fact, no. I really enjoy collaborating and working with others. I just thought I had to get better at managing the process.
Ana: How do you track your work in process? Do you use any form of metrics?
Kye: Not right now. I have been meaning to train on using some dashboards but right now I am just putting every project in its own folder and I meet with the project leads to review weekly progress.
Ana: Ok, so it must be hard to keep all that information in your head.
Kye: It sure is.
Ana: So at this point, what do you see as action items that you can work on that will help you make your work group more efficient and better prioritize projects for completion?
Kye: Well, I think I should start by calling the customers and working with them.
Ana: Sounds like a good place to start, but is that they best way to go about it?
Kye: What do you mean?
Ana: Well, you can always call them, but does that help build a relationship or develop your communication skills?
Kye: No, I guess not.
Ana: What else should be on your ‘to-do’ list?
Kye: There are several project management training modules on the company web board, and I think I could complete them in one weekend.
Ana: That would be great! You sound very motivated to turn things around.
Kye: I really am!
Ana: So, would you be okay if we met again in 1 month to discuss your progress?
Kye: I would like that very much, and I am sure you will be very happy.
Ana: It’s not about me, Kye. You have to do this for yourself. I certainly want you to succeed, but I can only help by listening and giving you feedback. You have to commit to making a change, and be the one who takes the steps needed to make it happen. Being a good manager takes time, and right now you have the basic skills that you can build on.
Kye: You’re right, and I feel much better right now! I just didn’t think about myself or about the situation the way I do now. You really helped me to see things from a different perspective.
Part 1:
Do you feel that this was simply a ‘helpful’ conversation, or a coaching conversation? Please describe your thoughts and give supporting examples.
Part 2:
Based on what was said during the conversation, please answer the following:
1. Do you feel that Ana has established trust with Kye? Please explain.
2. What paradigm was Kye working under prior to the conversation? Did it need to be changed?
3. To what extent do you feel Kye management approach considered strategic performance standards? Please explain.
4. What skill ‘gaps’ were identified in this conversation?
5. What type of feedback do you feel would be more value-adding for Kye as he undertakes his change effort?
6. What KSAs was Ana able to help Kye ‘discover’ in himself?
7. Do you feel Kye’s situation was typical for mid-level performers, and do you think coaching will enable him to become a top performer? Please explain.
Part 3:
In anticipation of Ana establishing a coaching relationship with Kye, please answer the following:
1. What learning style do you feel Kye prefers? Please explain.
2. What conflicts do you feel Kye needs to resolve in order to move forward towards improvement?
3. What challenges do you think you may encounter while coaching Kye, and how do you plan to overcome them?

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