Case Study #2: “Poor Interpersonal Skills”
Jennifer is the Accounting Department Manager for a regional chain of convenience stores. Jennifer is an accounting “superstar.” She has a bachelor’s degree, recently passed her CPA exam, and is really exceptional in her accounting knowledge.
She was so good, in fact, that she was promoted to department manager in her previous company after only two years on the job. She has been at her current company for ten months. She has implemented two accounting procedural changes that have streamlined the work and resulted in cost savings for the company.
She reports to the CFO, and he is concerned about Jennifer, despite her obvious talents. There is no denying that she has had a positive impact, but Jennifer is not fitting in so well. Jennifer is a poor communicator and seems to have alienated quite a few of her peers and her employees.
She is often aloof and distant, and her usual way of motivating performance is to simply dictate what will be done and expect compliance with her orders. She has good ideas but has little ability to present them well or to work as part of a team.
Questions:
You are Jennifer’s CFO, and you believe you can coach Jennifer.
1. How would you approach her and what would you say?
2. What issues would you work with her on?
3. How would you hold Jennifer accountable for improvement on the issues, you identified?
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