Leslie Brinkman at Versutia Capital: Leadership Analysis and Recommendation

Leslie Brinkman at Versutia Capital: Leadership Analysis and Recommendation

655 Words

Introduction Versutia Capital experienced some early success in its infancy due to the emotional attachment its employees had with the company and its leader, Leslie Brinkman. Leslie provided a team oriented, supportive environment based on her core values that, in turn, attracted a diverse group of talented staff members. Initially this appeared to be a great foundation for long-term success. Unfortunately, the recent deterioration of the company's performance has revealed that Leslie's leadership under pressure does not match the core values of her organization. Leslie Brinkman must now ask herself "How do I behave under pressure and what signals am I sending my employees?" 1 Analysis Under pressure, Leslie Brinkman behaves impatiently. During office hours, Leslie loses her temper over fluctuations in stock performance. As one analyst recalled, "You had to catch [Leslie] at a good moment …otherwise she might fly off the handle or jump down your throat." 2 Outside of office hours, Leslie continues to ride her staff. One analyst recalled, "It was not unusual to go to dinner with friends to see that I had three emails from Leslie regarding stock positions …it was understood that I needed to respond, and if I did not, I would often receive a follow up from Leslie asking whether I had received her previous message."3 Under pressure, Leslie Brinkman is not team focused. Leslie does not allow time for staff collaboration. Staff work upwards of 12 hours per day and are expected to be available by Blackberry '24/7'. 4 Analysts describe the work environment as stressful noting that Leslie puts undue pressure on them and frequently expresses her disappointment in a blunt, confrontational manner. An analyst noted, "I was feeling increasingly burdened… and I wasn't sure [Leslie] would be...