March 1, 2017
Management 3000
Chapter 7 Case Discussion
Question 1 (Could Tony’s problem with alcohol be stress-related? Explain why or why not.)
I do think Tony’s problem with alcohol definitely has to deal with stress that he is
experiencing with his love life. Tony’s marriage falling apart is a clue that leads us to believe
that his problems with the bottle began somewhere around that time, leaving him to try and drink
his problems away. This kind of stress is chronic and has hindered Tony’s ability to take charge
of his life; making it also dystress in nature as well. Aside from the alcohol problems his
position as a head chef at a successful restaurant could also as well attribute to his stress
negatively. Being the head chef of a very successful restaurant is tough work, and trying to
manage that while trying to drink your personal life problems away is a very daunting challenge,
one that might be even impossible.
Question 2 (What should Walt do in this circumstance to help Tony cope?)
Walt should probably sit down with Tony, and ask him how he feels about his current life
situation at the time. See what stressors are affecting him, and to see how it also has any effect
on the job stress of being a head chef as well. Walt needs to be honest with him, and give him a
reality check that he needs to put the bottle away and get to work as he needs him to do his job
without him having to cover for him. Perhaps try to give him goals, and try to make him see a
different perspective on life, turn the bad stress he has right now into eustress, good stress that
can help him succeed at the restaurant. Walt does all this, and he may have a chance to get Tony
to turn his life around for the better.