Michael Eisner Essay
The conflict between Michael Eisner, the Weinstein brothers, the two board members (Disney and Gold), and Steve Jobs was really an unhealthy work environment. Michael Eisner, former CEO of Walt Disney Company had strained several important relationships to the company because of his abrasive style and his tendency toward micromanagement. Eisner fought with the Miramax founders, Harvey and Bob Weinstein over financial details relating to the purchase of Miramax. Eisner disagreed several times with Steve Jobs who was the CEO of both Pixar and Apple Computer. Negative remarks Eisner made in front of Congress about Jobs, Apple Computer were taken personally and Jobs threatened not to renew the Disney-Pixar partnership if Eisner remained as CEO of Disney. However, Eisner had a distasteful demeanor and disruptive behavior causing continuous disputes, board members repeatedly asked for Eisner resignation. Nevertheless, as stated by, Ivancevich, Konopaske, and Matteson, “dysfunctional conflicts are a confrontation
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or interaction between a group that harm the organization or hinders the achievement of organizational goals depending on the conflict level which could threaten an organization’s survival.” These types dysfunctional behavior by Eisner caused chaos and unearthing confrontation threatening Walt Disney Company’s survival.
Meanwhile, due to the conflict between Eisner and Jobs, it could be placed in the final or manifest stage. However, according to, Ivancevich, Konopaske, and Matteson, conflicting groups are actively engaging in conflict behavior through verbal, written, or physical attacks. However, at this point of manifestation, it has become apparent to noninvolved parties that problems did exist within the company. Eisner’s comment to Congress escalated what was perceived or felt conflict. Prior to this, there may have been rumors of conflicts among members, but Eisner made it public verbally. Jobs perception of these comments was taken personally and he retaliated with the threat of ending the Disney-Pixar partnership if Eisner remained CEO. Different perspectives could have contributed to their conflicts. As stated by Ivancevich, Konopaske, and Matteson “different perspectives growing out of different organizational cultures can explain why conflict frequently results when companies are merged.”
Research shows that, Eisner was portrayed as having a dominating approach to conflict resolutions and Bob Iger had more of a problem-solving approach.
Shortly after Iger took over as CEO at Disney, he reached out and reconciled relationships with the Weinstein brothers by making a settlement payment. The Weinstein brothers received a $100 million dollar payment and Disney kept the Miramax name and film library worth 2 billion dollars. The relationship with Steve Jobs and Pixar was also reconciled by adding Jobs to the Disney Board of Directors and adding another influential and successful member to the team. Iger’s approach played a significant role in mending torn relationships involving Disney’s past controversial and abrasive styles brought about by Michael Eisner. The Disney Company was frustrated, inconsistent and facing a major economic recession, however, Iger new approach brought a refreshing sigh of relief to the company and to the company’s
reputation.
or interaction between a group that harm the organization or hinders the achievement of organizational goals depending on the conflict level which could threaten an organization’s survival.” These types dysfunctional behavior by Eisner caused chaos and unearthing confrontation threatening Walt Disney Company’s survival.
Meanwhile, due to the conflict between Eisner and Jobs, it could be placed in the final or manifest stage. However, according to, Ivancevich, Konopaske, and Matteson, conflicting groups are actively engaging in conflict behavior through verbal, written, or physical attacks. However, at this point of manifestation, it has become apparent to noninvolved parties that problems did exist within the company. Eisner’s comment to Congress escalated what was perceived or felt conflict. Prior to this, there may have been rumors of conflicts among members, but Eisner made it public verbally. Jobs perception of these comments was taken personally and he retaliated with the threat of ending the Disney-Pixar partnership if Eisner remained CEO. Different perspectives could have contributed to their conflicts. As stated by Ivancevich, Konopaske, and Matteson “different perspectives growing out of different organizational cultures can explain why conflict frequently results when companies are merged.”
Research shows that, Eisner was portrayed as having a dominating approach to conflict resolutions and Bob Iger had more of a problem-solving approach.
Shortly after Iger took over as CEO at Disney, he reached out and reconciled relationships with the Weinstein brothers by making a settlement payment. The Weinstein brothers received a $100 million dollar payment and Disney kept the Miramax name and film library worth 2 billion dollars. The relationship with Steve Jobs and Pixar was also reconciled by adding Jobs to the Disney Board of Directors and adding another influential and successful member to the team. Iger’s approach played a significant role in mending torn relationships involving Disney’s past controversial and abrasive styles brought about by Michael Eisner. The Disney Company was frustrated, inconsistent and facing a major economic recession, however, Iger new approach brought a refreshing sigh of relief to the company and to the company’s
reputation.