Katherine graham Case Analysis
Organizational Behavior Case study Fall2013
1. Collectively there are several issues affecting Ms. Graham throughout this case analysis. The first issue was managing gender-based diversity. Relinquishing control of the day-to-day operations at the Washington post after helping to steer the paper through the rough waters of adversity (breaking the water gate scandal, labor issues) was another critical decision. Maintaining the principles of integrity and honesty in a story/article regardless of the potential negative backlash on the paper was the third important issue affecting Ms. Graham
2. Katharine was faced with these issues due to the perceivably untimely demise of her husband Phil Graham. Ms Graham was identified early on by her father to be the only sibling with genuine interest in the paper. Assuming the task of maintaining her father’s legacy became her responsibility.
3. Allowing the management team that her late husband hired to run the paper without interference. This team of individuals had an established, respected reputation amongst the news media industry. The team assembled by her husband was primarily responsible for bringing the Post back to financial prosperity.
The negative to this decision would be losing touch with the pulse of day-to-day activity at the paper. This would also weaken the chances for her children to one day assume control of the paper and continue the legacy of her family. Katharine would eventually lose some respect and credibility from her husband’s peers and not be taken as seriously when the time came to make an executive decision.
4. As Ms. Graham business consultant my recommendation would be to sit silently in the seat of executive power and not be so concerned with the day-to-day operations at the paper. Allow your influence to be exercised through the allies at the paper whom share her vision. Allies such as Ben Bradley, Dick Simmons and John Prescott whom share your beliefs that growth integrity
1. Collectively there are several issues affecting Ms. Graham throughout this case analysis. The first issue was managing gender-based diversity. Relinquishing control of the day-to-day operations at the Washington post after helping to steer the paper through the rough waters of adversity (breaking the water gate scandal, labor issues) was another critical decision. Maintaining the principles of integrity and honesty in a story/article regardless of the potential negative backlash on the paper was the third important issue affecting Ms. Graham
2. Katharine was faced with these issues due to the perceivably untimely demise of her husband Phil Graham. Ms Graham was identified early on by her father to be the only sibling with genuine interest in the paper. Assuming the task of maintaining her father’s legacy became her responsibility.
3. Allowing the management team that her late husband hired to run the paper without interference. This team of individuals had an established, respected reputation amongst the news media industry. The team assembled by her husband was primarily responsible for bringing the Post back to financial prosperity.
The negative to this decision would be losing touch with the pulse of day-to-day activity at the paper. This would also weaken the chances for her children to one day assume control of the paper and continue the legacy of her family. Katharine would eventually lose some respect and credibility from her husband’s peers and not be taken as seriously when the time came to make an executive decision.
4. As Ms. Graham business consultant my recommendation would be to sit silently in the seat of executive power and not be so concerned with the day-to-day operations at the paper. Allow your influence to be exercised through the allies at the paper whom share her vision. Allies such as Ben Bradley, Dick Simmons and John Prescott whom share your beliefs that growth integrity