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The Cost of Stepping Back: Taylor Ward’s...

Ellis, Lillien, Kl...

Case

The Cost of Stepping Back: Taylor Ward’s Trade-Offs at Meridian

Ellis, Lillien; Klopfenstein, Amy

OB-1509 | Published March 25, 2026 | 3 Pages Case

Collection: Darden School of Business

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Learning Objectives

This case follows Taylor Ward, a high-performing consultant whose spouse experiences a sudden mental health crisis. As Taylor leads a high-profile client project, they struggle to balance their personal and professional responsibilities. Taylor receives conflicting advice about whether to take personal leave from a results-oriented manager and a more empathetic colleague, highlighting the potential professional costs of stepping back. Meanwhile, Taylor’s reduced availability begins to affect their team members, raising questions about the broader impact of their personal issues. Students must consider whether Taylor should take personal leave, which would reduce their pay by 40% until they returned to work, or whether they should continue juggling their personal and professional duties. Students must also evaluate what factors—financial, relational, and professional—should guide that decision.