Critical Essay on ‘A Day in the Life of Alex Sander: Driving in the Fast Lane at Landon Care Products’

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Executive Summary-

In A Day in the Life of Alex Sander: Driving in the Fast Lane at Landon Care Products (Collins and Greiner, Brief Cases, Harvard Business School, 2008), What is being questioned is whether Alex is an asset to Landon Care Products and the positive and negative impacts associated with his distinct work ethic and style. The Article analyzes the influence of his behaviors on the feedback of Alex’s peer review and performance report. As well as an analysis of his characteristics to determine his personality characteristics. This will help contribute to the pros and cons of hiring an employee of Alex Statue. When hiring an employee of Alex’s caliber there are a lot of factors that come into play. For instance, what are the motivating factors that drive him, and whether or not hes worth his company’s time in training? Based on these analyses, conclusions are drawn to determine if Alexs future potential is a valuable asset for the company.

Introduction-

A Day in the Life of Alex Sander: Driving in the Fast Lane at Landon Care Products (Collins and Greiner, Brief Cases, Harvard Business School, 2008) is following a day in the life of a young hard working steadfast manager at Landon Care Products. Alex Sanders through the case shows his unique skills and effective leadership traits from the dialogue between his boss and colleagues. Shown through his history of having a manager-type job. This shows that he has valuable work experience in how to keep a company running effectively. Alexis’ overall work ethic and ability to motivate staff is his leading trait. When given a 360-degree performance review that outlines his overall strength and weakness the feedback helps serve as a guide to the positive and negative implications associated with Alex. His behavioral impact on his co-workers, His personality type, What his motivating factors are, And the pros/cons of having Alex as an employee. These questions will be answered through the assessment of the 360 feedback report. Sam Glass, Alex’s boss will then based on the recommendation will make a decision whether or not to invest more time into Alex Sanders’s progression as a Landon employee.

Analysis-

After looking over the 360° performance report, there are many comments made by peers that describe Alexs behaviors and their impact on the feedback of the workers. When reviewing this the most impactful would be Alex’s hardworking drive to help his team reach and push their limits in order to achieve his goals. Alex is willing to mentor employees where their struggling, gives credit where its due in regard to workloads, and has the knowledge and commitment to make significant changes in his position. These personality traits help motivate his co-workers and help serve as boosters of his employee’s productivity and motivation. However, Alex Sturn’s Aggressive cut edge style can be viewed as too much for some workers. Some reported that this would cause potential hostility between the employees. When asked Alex stats that he will take any means necessary to reach his goals. An example of this is when he goes on to say that he would steamroll over someones feelings if it means theyll work harder. This both cuts how approach, as well as a mentor-like figure, helps Alex be a very well-rounded skilled employee who always has the best interest of the company in mind.

When using O.C.E.A.N. (five personality traits) format to outline Alexs personality you can draw out his personal characteristics shown in the case study. In terms of openness, Alex is a very open person to new ideas and can do a good job at mentoring those in need of help. However, Alex also has a short fuse when it comes to explaining himself more than a couple of times. Alex benefits from the outgoing personality that helps him manage a productive work environment for himself and others. Although he tries to help colleagues to the best of his ability his outward temperament feedback can be a bit much for some to handle. Feedback from the case study shows how Alex has a high technical skill level. When Alex is giving his ideas and initiatives they arent always the most agreeable. As discussed in the case study Alex is known to assign brutal workloads to his team. Sometimes, these workloads go above and beyond work time. Alex expects other employees to work in the same cutthroat time-crunch-type fashion that he does. There are many pros and cons to having an employee like Alex. It is clear that Alex is a hard-working individual who will do anything in his power to achieve his goals. As this may cause some people to think he’s a cutthroat person Alex is willing to ask the hard questions nobody else wants to ask. Alex helps push his workers to perform outside of their comfort zone. And finally has the necessary knowledge and skill within his position to make things happen. These important characteristics help Alex boost his productivity, create a productive work environment, and reach goals otherwise out of reach by other employees. Alex is an extremely hardworking motivating person. Alex possesses self-driven characteristics that help him separate from his fellow employees. Alex has a great deal of self-confidence his ability to complete tasks goes above and beyond. Alex does not limit himself simply to filling a working position he goes out to completely master every aspect of it. Alex goes on to say that he believes his future endeavors will end him up at Landon or at his own start-up company. Alex holds his name to a high level of prestigiousness, evident through the plaques and awards hung up on his offices walls- these serve as important motivational factors as they recognize his hard work ethic, reinforcing his motivation to further himself in that area. Finally, Alex as a product manager feels that it is his main job to uphold his reputation as a hardworking individual.

Recommendation & Conclusion-

With evidence from the case study and the peer feedback from the 360-degree performance review, it shows that Alex has proven himself to be both successful and has had his downsides. The data would suggest that Alex is an extremely hard worker. And proves that Alex is committed to the process as he sets high expectations for himself. Sanders’s only weakness is his lack of understanding of co-workers on a work/committal level, His sudden anger with the work environment through overly-aggressive tactics, and his short fuse. These are all examples of the high caliber of productivity that Alex possesses.

When looking at Sam Glasss interest in Alex keeping him as a work in progress at Landon would allow him to show a great deal of potential. This would allow him to show the capabilities he has in the powerful sturn manager when the going gets a hard position.

Sanders is an extremely effective product manager, but Glass needs to help him in relieving some stress from the environment he creates and guide him toward a more personable, collaborative management approach.

The glass should encourage Alex to try and let off some stress. If Alex can let off some stress Alex could reach a much higher level of efficiency if less time was wasted bringing the pace back down to an even-keel level. These are all important aspects to mend pushing Alex to the next level of effective management as an asset to Landon.

In conclusion, Alexs behaviors have notable impacts on his working environment and his team. Alex can be a very beneficial boss when he wants to be. When reading his case analysis shows how he has an aggressive style. This is great for making waves, breaking the boundaries of productivity, and reaching goals.

Although, Alex can be a cutthroat worker and not fully understand his co-workers outside commitments, his tendency to create a hostile work environment through his uneven temperament, his tendency to burn out and over-work employees, and his overly-controlling style. Although, it is ultimately recommended that Glass keep Alex as an asset to the company, as his work ethic is extremely valuable and his interpersonal downfalls can be corrected or at least softened.

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