Read the following case carefully and answer the questions that follow:
Mahesh was a Sales Manager for Industrial Products Company in City branch. A week ago, he was promoted and shifted to Head Office as Deputy Manager - Product Management for a division of products which he was not very familiar with. Three days ago, the company VP - Mr. Basanta, convened a meeting of all Product Managers. Mahesh's new boss (Product Manager Ketan) was not able to attend due to some other preoccupation. Hence, the Marketing Director, Sushant - asked Mahesh to attend the meeting as this would give him an exposure into his new role.
At the beginning of the meeting, Sushant introduced Mahesh very briefly to the VP. The meeting started with an address from the VP and soon it got into a series of questions from him to every Product Manager. Basanta, of course, was pretty thorough with every single product of the company and he was known to be pushy and a blunt veteran in the field. Most of the Product Managers were very clear of Basanta's ways of working and had thoroughly prepared for the meeting and were giving to the point answers. Basanta then started with Mahesh. Mahesh being new to the product, was quite confused and fared miserably.
Sushant immediately understood that Basanta had possibly failed to remember that Mahesh was new to the job. He thought of interrupting Basanta's questioning and giving a discrete reminder that Mahesh was new. But by that time, Basanta who was pretty upset with the lack of preparation by Mahesh made a public statement "Gentlemen, you are witnessing here an example of sloppy work and this can't be excused".
Now Sushant was in two minds - should he interrupt Basanta and tell him that Mahesh is new in that position OR should he wait till the end of the meeting and tell Basanta privately. Sushant chose the second option. Mahesh was visibly angry at the treatment meted out by Basanta but he also chose to keep mum. Basanta quickly closed the meeting saying that he found in general, lack of planning in the department and asked Sushant to stay back in the room for further discussions.
Before Sushant could give any explanation on Mahesh, Basanta asked him "Tell me openly, Sushant, was I too rough with that boy?" Sushant said "Yes, you were. In fact, I was about to remind you that Mahesh is new to the job". Basanta explained that the fact that Mahesh was new to the job didn't quite register with him during the meeting. Basanta admitted that he had made a mistake and asked his secretary to get Mahesh report to the room immediately.
A perplexed and uneasy Mahesh reported to Basanta's room after few minutes. A perplexed and uneasy Mahesh reported to Basanta's room after few minutes. Recollect that you were new to the job when I was questioning you". Mahesh was left speechless.
Basanta continued "I would like to state few things clearly to you. Your job is to make sure that people like me and your bosses do not make stupid decisions. We have good confidence in your abilities and that is why we have brought you to the Head Office. For everybody, time is required for learning. I will expect you to know all the nuances of your product in three months' time. Until then you have my complete confidence". Basanta closed the conversation with a big reassuring handshake with Mahesh.
Questions:
a. If you were in Mahesh's place, how would you respond to Basanta's apology?
b. Was Basanta correct in saying that Mahesh is there to correct the "stupid mistake" of his boss?
c. Did Sushant make a mistake by not intervening during the meeting and correct Basanta's misconception about Mahesh?
d. As an HR manager, how would you define the character of Basanta - bullying but later regretting? Does his attitude need to be corrected?
