In the Snake Pit

This chapter describes the crisis-ridden state of a business unit in which the newly appointed head, Dr. Jacob Brick, faces rejection from the existing management team. At the same time, he discovers an enormous need for action to address the division’s considerable shortcomings. But intrigues are poisoning the climate, and ridicule is spreading behind his back. Fear creeps over him. He is in danger of failing. He succeeds in overcoming the crisis. To do this, Brick used the five-step sequence outlined in this chapter: setting the topic, the discussion phase, the magic moment, the decision phase, and the implementation phase. Each of the five steps required specific strategies and other human qualities from Jacob Brick. The chapter shows the range of skills a leader should have.