Presentation 2: Bob Knowlton

1. Discuss the reasons why what happened happened.
Bob Knowlton was the head project of the Photon Lab where he worked together with his team. One day, Fester came in and took over the project as though it was his. Fester's a brilliant and driven person who knows what he's doing and Knowlton felt that he was being challenged and threatened when Fester suddenly took over the project. Knowlton reacted in a way that not only impacted his own career, but the direction of the company for which he worked. Knowlton, then quit his job for a new position at a new company.

2. Consider the personalities involved, especially those of Knowlton and Fester, and the organizational characteristics.
Given that Bob Knowlton faced with a rival person entered his "territory", he could be considered externally motivated rather than internally driven.

Bob had a low self-esteem when he was being challenged by this new guy that automatically made him feel insecure.

Although Fester was an intelligent and a driven person, he didn't even consider Bob's feelings when he took over the project and that made him a selfish person.


Organizational culture is more to work oriented with little focus of interpersonal relationships and communication. No feelings are discussed openly, hence, the assumption that the team is functioning well is false.

3. Imagine yourself in the position of Dr. Jerrold at the end of the case, reflecting back over the events. Is there anything you could have done, on the basis of what you knew or could have known at the time, that would have led to a more favorable outcome? State your reasoning. 
If I were to be in Dr. Jerrold's position, I would have a mature conversation with Bob or even better with Fester as well to talk about what's going to happen since Fester has joined the company. Maybe both of them could work together as a team and make decisions together to succeed as opposed to work individually and not sharing their work together. OR
I'll think twice before hiring someone who is so intelligent like Fester because it can causes damage to the company and some people like Bob Knowlton might get offended by it. Especially if Dr. Jerrold hasn't say anything to Bob about Fester.