Reference no: EM133586984

Case Study: Mr. Akira Abe comes to see a counselor. Mr. Abe is near 40, working for a large toy manufacturer on the outskirts of Tokyo. Producing new toys takes considerable creativity. Mr. Abe is now afraid of losing his job because his recent proposal was rejected by his boss, Mr. Toyama, at an engineer group meeting. it was not the first time his new toy ideas had been ignored without much discussion. However, this time he knew that his idea was clearly the best ofthe several suggested. Mr. Toyama told him that his idea was too unusual even to be discussed. Mr. Toyama went on to say that the project team members had to work together in harmony and that considering his unusual idea might bring disharmony to the working group. Soon after this meeting, Mr. Abe caught his boss in the corridor outside the meeting room and swore at him with anger saying that he would quit the company. However, Mr.Toyama patted him on the shoulder without any words and left. Mr. Abe seriously wondered whether he should submit his resignation. He thinks he should resign before he is ?red. But if he quits the company, he will not be able to find a newjob and supporting his family will be dif?cult, especially considering recent changes in theJapanese economy.

Questions: 

1. What are some of the cultural issues underlying this case and how might they compare to most issues in English-speaking corporations?

2. How do you help Mr. Abe decide what to do?

3. How would you use the basics of ABC crisis intervention to help Mr. Abe?

4. How would you use the basics of brief solution-oriented interviewing in this case?