Denison Leadership Development Survey Case Study 2- Anne

Anne

• 37 years old
• Public Relations Director for a successful manufacturer of durable goods
• Manages a staff of 18
• Responsible for all internal (Company newsletter, etc.) and external communications
• On the job for fifteen months

Anne's Background

• Has a strong background in the field, and brings much-needed expertise into the organization
• Followed a very poor manager in the position
• Therefore, the people who work for Anne think very highly of her
  
• Deals very well with external media
• Has a likeable, engaging personality
  
  but
  
  
• Does not hold a strong opinion of her own abilities
• Can be pushed around easily internally
• Has fallen a little short in her boss's eyes
  

Anne is in a tough spot within her organization. Many of her peers do not hold her in high esteem. She loses some respect because she doesn't have the self-confidence to fight for what she believes is right. And, through no fault of her own, the organization still has something of a "good ole boys" network, and has not yet accepted a competent woman into the club.

Her boss was instrumental in bringing her into the organization. He has taken some heat from her peers for the decision. Also, as good as she is, there have been a few PR gaffs that he felt might have been handled better.

In all, the jury is still out. Anne needs to develop the confidence to push her agenda, her boss needs to support her more actively, and her peers need to give her a break.

View Anne's Survey