What Should Corrine Do?

In Corrine’s place, what would you do and why? What do you think the outcomes of these different options would be? Here are some possibilities:

• Insist on getting a higher management title, not just more money, if you are going to be taking on a management role.

• Continue to make the decisions and don’t worry about keeping Ben informed unless he asks, since he will generally rubber-stamp whatever you do.

• Reassure others in the department that you will be making most of the decisions, so they don’t feel confused and frustrated.

• Don’t be concerned about not knowing the technical details of the work because many managers are hired for their skill in managing people, not their technical knowledge.

• Since the vice president feels your role in keeping the department going is critical, be firm when you ask to be transferred into another position. He will realize he needs to do this, or you will leave.

• Keep doing what you are doing and wait for the merger, since you will probably be staying on and Ben will be gone. Then you can figure out what to do.

• Gather others from the department to join you and schedule a meeting with Ben to emphasize that you need him to provide more direction, decisions, and information, so the department will be more productive, and people will better understand and feel more committed to what they are doing.