Business Case Studies & Business Publications

Why Is the Universe Against Me? (A) and ...

Bodily, Jolene H.,...

Case

Why Is the Universe Against Me? (A) and (B) (Abridged)

Bodily, Jolene H.; Behfar, Kristin J.; Maiden, Stephen E.

OB-1081 | Published August 18, 2015 | 8 pages Case

Collection: Darden School of Business

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Hasn’t everyone at some point felt as if the universe was conspiring against his or her success? This case narrative tracks the story of Emmett Taylor, an operations manager for a bottling company, as a snow and ice storm bears down on his southeastern U.S. plant. Taylor is already plagued by stress caused by all facets of his life—family, work, and personal health—and this storm is no exception. The story offers an opportunity to discuss time, energy, and priority management; individual behavior from a type-A personality; work-life balance; organizational behavior; and leadership. This case is a suitable substitution for the classic best-selling Darden case "John Wolford" (UVA-OB-0167).