Norman White has been a staff auditor for LIN, Incorporated for six months. Norman completed an MBA degree at the William B. Harding Graduate School of Business and has an excellent background in quantitative methods and financial analysis. He views his tenure in the internal auditing department as a brief step toward a management position in corporate planning. Despite his fine academic credentials and neat appearance, Norman is abrasive to his fellow auditors and to clerks and others whom he views as inferior. His work on audits is competent insofar as technical performance is concerned. On the other hand, several managers have requested that he not be allowed back in their departments, and fellow auditors have complained to the audit manager, Mel Hansen, who reported these complaints to the corporate audit director, Dick Michaels. Mr. Michaels has scheduled a meeting with Norman to discuss the situation. Mr. Michaels knows you are taking a course in internal auditing and invites you over to his house to discuss the upcoming conference with Norman. He doesn’t reveal the individuals involved in the problem, but does explain the essence of the situation in general terms. He then asks your advice.

Required:

a. List a person’s personal needs as outlined by Maslow’s hierarchy. List the kinds of abilities that might be used to meet those needs. Also, list the personality variables outlined in the chapter that could be used to analyze and improve Norman’s situation.

b. How would you describe Norman’s personality type?

c. How would you handle the situation with Norman? Explain.