Q 1. Analyse personality characteristics of the three characters in the case.
Ans. The personality analyses of the three main characters of this case study are as follows:
A. BOB KNOWLTON: He was recently appointed as project head of a new project. He felt proud about this. He was hard working as well as ambitious. At the same time he lacked confidence in himself and his abilities. His very first meeting with Fester made him feel uncomfortable and confused. After Fester joined his group, he grew more and more uncomfortable, annoyed, frustrated, disturbed. He started feeling more and more insecure and felt his leadership threatened in the presence of Fester.
His perceptions about himself, about Fester, about Fester’s proximity with Jerrold, and about the whole situation was so wrong that it made him more and more insecure which eventually lead to his resignation from the organisation.
Bob was also not able to convey his actual feelings and opinions to his boss. He always praised Fester’s abilities whereas deep inside he felt annoyed and disturbed with him. He never informed his boss how the Fester’s presence and attitude was affecting the dynamics of his group.
Bob due to his lack of confidence relied on working in group which allowed to compensate for one’s weakness. He failed as a leader of the group as it was his responsibility to take the group together and not let it disintegrate. His passive approach and skewed perception ultimately led to his resignation.
B. SIMON FESTER: Fester was an intelligent, technically skilled and knowledgeable person. He is hard working as well as diligent. He accepts challenges and has a positive approach to problems. He has a knack of solving difficult problems. Even Bob praised his abilities and skills during his talks with Jerrold. Fester is a bit unconventional in terms of dressing as well as his approach.
He did not like mediocrity and was at times even rude to the