Managing People: "How to Groom the Next Boss"

514 Words3 Pages
1. What development activities did Kenneth Freeman use to strengthen the skills of Surya Mohapatra (his successor)? List the activities and the skills they were designed to improve. What other development activities could he have used? Identify the development activities and the skills they would be targeted to improve. To strengthen the skills of Surya Mohapatra, Kenneth Freeman did use the following development activities: - He established daylong case assignments that allowed him to see Mohapatra’s leadership skills in action. - Four months after Mohapatra’s arrival, he named him president, giving Mohapatra a clear shot at the top job. - He took Mohapatra out of his shell using what he was named “trial by fire”. For several months he had Mohapatra make unscripted comments to employees, meet with shareholders, and field questions from analysts on conference calls to make him a more polished and confident speaker. - Every Sunday afternoon for five years, he and Mohapatra engaged in lengthy telephone conversations during which he would analyze Mohapatra’s evolving management style and suggest further improvements. - He asked Mohapatra to conduct formal board presentations and by changing the seating chart, he was able to increase Mohapatra’s face time with several directors. Other development activities could he has used and the skills they would be targeted to improve are: - Job rotation: It would help to increase the understanding of different company functions, develop a network of contact, and improve his problem-solving and decision-making skills. - Coaching and mentoring: Although Freeman gave Mohapatra his personal coaching and mentoring, a formal coaching would help Mohapatra to improve his problem-solving and decision-making skills. 2. Could a coach help Mohapatra develop the skills needed to be an effective CEO? Explain. I think that a

More about Managing People: "How to Groom the Next Boss"

Open Document