Section 1: Case Assignment

Q1:Read the following case carefully then answer the questions.

CASE INCIDENT 1

Management case study

Dick thought he had his life in total control. Even from an early age. By fourth grade, being the tallest person in his class, he became a star basketball player. Throughout the next few years he would demonstrate his talent on the court, leading his team to numerous victories. But basketball wasn't Dick's only concern. He also knew he had to do well in the class room. His academic ability, coupled with his basketball prowess, earned him an academic/athletic scholarship to Livingston College. But his athletic career was about to end. Dick, who grew quickly in his child hood to 5'7", never grew another inch. Being height challenged, he recognized a career in basketball was unlikely. Accordingly, he left the team, focusing his talents on academics.

Shortly after graduating from college, Dick accepted a position with the St. Paul companies, where he worked for years in the claims division. His upbringing taught him something, that there was good in all people, but sometimes you had to help others find it. This attitude and his desire to help others led to his appointment as the company's director of diversity. Shortly thereafter, after a few years of excellent performance, he was promoted to vice president for global diversity. His work as vice president included staff development programs, leadership training, performance reviews, and work life program. He was also instrumental in influencing the CEO and other senior management members in understanding their roles in diversified organization and where organizational change was needed. Dick spent considerable time counselling other employees on such topics as race, gender, sand disabilities. He would do whatever was needed to help individuals in the company understand themselves as well as their career.

Many said Dick's future in the insurance company was unlimited, but after more than 21 years, Dick quit his job at St. Paul, the only company for which he had ever worked. Was it midlife crises? Or was it something more personal? Those questions are debatable, but Watson's decision was clear. For more than two decades, he worked six to seven days a week. Every Saturday morning would find him in his office. Sometimes, even after church on Sunday, he would go to the office and work for the few hours. His dedication payed off in his career, but something was missing in his life. Most notably, he was missing watching his children grow up. His sons, ages 14 and 10, had never had their dad attend one of their sporting events. Work precluded that. He was not going to let that happen. He didn't want to wake up one morning and ask where the time went. Accordingly, he left St. Paul and took a job as executive director of diversity and work force capability at the Williams Company, Watson helped the company implement diversity programs and helped management implement diversity as part of their `strategic vision.

Dick's life today is not just about work. Sure, he is still working on something he values, shaping diversity in an organization, but he is also doing something far more valuable to him than his career. He is taking time to be with his children, serving as their team's coach in some cases, and always as a spectator. He even leaves work some days at 3 P.M and doesn't work more than five days a week. For Dick and his family, it's the time of his life.

Questions:

1. Describe what happened to Dick in terms of career stages?
2. Do you believe Dick suffered midlife career crises? If so why?
3. What can organizations do to prevent talent like Dick from leaving their organization? Explain.

(Give proper answers for the above questions there is not word limitation)

(Minimum 350 words)