The case of Ben
Ben is a 53-year-old CEO of a company called Geek-Tech. Geek-Tech is an electronics retailer that sells computer equipment and peripherals to customers across South Africa. The company started out as a small online business, but thanks to its effective marketing campaigns, has become one of the leading electronic retailers in the country.
Ben added much to the success of the company by combining his technical expertise in electronics, with his persuasive and sociable character. Ben is very detail orientated and can describe all the facts and figures of various hardware components. He is also well organised and likes to plan well in advance when meetings new business clients.
As an ambitious and driven individual Ben aims to improve the sales targets of the company and find new and innovative business venture opportunities that can improve his profits. He mainly makes decisions based on the feelings they evoke and seem to be somewhat excitement seeking. Ben is often described as someone that thrives on difficult challenges.
As a result of his dedication to the company, Ben has started to struggle with work-family balance. He often feels that there is not enough time in the day to get everything done. Work overload is often cited as one of the key challenges Ben needs to deal with.
QUESTION 2
2.1 Identify the current life/career stage Ben is currently in and explain typical characteristics of this
2.4 Distinguish between the psychological polarities that Ben will have to resolve to achieve greater individuation. (8)
2.5 Identify Ben's personality type according to Jung's theory of personality and the MBTI typology. Make specific reference to each of the 4 dimensions and provide evidence from the case study to supplement your answer. (8)
2.6 Identify Ben's dominant career anchors. Provide evidence from the case study to support your answer (6)
2.7 Identify two of Holland's themes that correspond with Ben's predisposition. Provide evidence from the case study to substantiate your answer. (4)
2.8 Identify and describe the type of work-family conflict Ben is currently experiencing. Provide evidence from the case study to support your answer. (3)
2.9 Recommend two individual interventions Ben can implement to improve his flourishing at work and list specific activities he can implement for each intervention. (4)
2.1 Ben is currently in the mid-career stage, where he has gained significant expertise and experience in his field and is at a high level of responsibility in his company. Typical characteristics of this stage include a focus on advancement and achievement, as well as a desire to make a significant impact in their field. Ben's ambition to improve sales targets and find new business ventures aligns with this career stage.
2.4 In order to achieve greater individuation, Ben will have to resolve the psychological polarities of work-life balance and work overload. He will need to find a balance between his dedication to his company and his personal life, and learn to manage his workload effectively in order to prevent burnout and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
2.5 According to Jung's theory of personality and the MBTI typology, Ben's personality type may be an Extravert (E), Sensing (S), Thinking (T), and Judging (J). This is supported by his sociable and persuasive character, detail-oriented nature, focus on facts and figures, and preference for planning and organisation in business meetings.
2.6 Ben's dominant career anchors may be Technical/Functional Competence and Lifestyle. Evidence from the case study includes Ben's technical expertise in electronics and his ambition to improve sales targets and find new business ventures, as well as his struggle with work-life balance and desire for a fulfilling personal life.
2.7 Two of Holland's themes that correspond with Ben's predisposition may be Enterprising and Realistic. Evidence from the case study includes Ben's drive for success and ambition to improve sales targets, as well as his practical and detail-oriented approach to business.
2.8 Ben is currently experiencing work-family conflict, where he feels that there is not enough time in the day to balance his work commitments and personal life. This is evidenced by his struggle with work-life balance and work overload, which are common characteristics of work-family conflict.
2.9 Two individual interventions Ben can implement to improve his flourishing at work include time management techniques and setting boundaries. Specific activities he can implement for time management include prioritising tasks, delegating responsibilities, and setting realistic deadlines. For setting boundaries, he can establish clear work hours, designate specific times for work and personal activities, and communicate his needs to his colleagues and family.