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The Unmanageable Star Performer - Case Solution

Abhishek Goel | Harvard Business Review ( R1305X-PDF-ENG ) | May 01, 2013 (Revision: 2023-09-27)
Abstract:

Vijay Kumar was tagged as the unmanageable star performer in the Mumbai consultancy office of Leman Highlander. Kumar, although a star performer for attracting clients, has some attitude problems that must be dealt with. The problems in the firm keep piling up and these issues must be addressed over dinner that night.

Case Questions Answered

  • What should Stefan say to Vijay over dinner?

Vijay Kumar – The Unmanageable Star Performer

The manager of ‘Leman Highlander,’ Vijay Kumar, poses a significant threat to the successful continuation of the business. From being stellar in terms of productivity to showing a dictatorial approach to the position he attains, Vijay causes unpleasant situations in the company. Thus, he was tagged as an unmanageable star performer.

The main concern resides in the inputs. Because Vijay is the ‘input,’ he hardens the processes and further leads to producing weak outcomes. A failure to acknowledge staff’s productivity, bad leadership skills, a conflict in best practices, and a vast ‘scary’ power distance wrap up the roots of the problem mentioned above.

For every business, staff productivity is an essential key to moving forward. Vijay Kumar’s staff is highly productive. Many times, the staff works off- schedule and barely see their family. A strange culture has been embedded in this company, which is destroying the best practices of the business.

Rather than being long-term oriented (less turnover and group cohesion), they focus on short-term (satisfying Vijay Kumar’s ego with the focus of performing at their best but individually, as teamwork is discouraged, to say the least).

This culture has its pros and cons. One of its advantages is the need for achievement. The staff are in healthy competition with each other and are positively driven to outshine the rest.

But a major con of this culture is that they follow…

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