Instructions

Read the following scenario and answer the THREE questions that follow.

Abhishek, a student of a prestigious business school, gets interested in Payeasy, a fintech firm, after listening to a pre-placement talk by Neha Bhupati, a senior leader at the firm, and an alumna of the same business school. He joins Payeasy through campus placement. Neha plays a key role in recruiting him, seeing great potential in him.

Abhishek starts working in the digital payments vertical under Mukesh Kumar, who reports directly to Neha. Mukesh, Abhishek’s direct superior, is impressed by his performance and rates him very high in the first year. Abhishek understands that if Mukesh consistently rates him as “Excellent Performer” for the second year as well, his chances of getting promoted will improve. (The organization promotes individuals who are consistently rated as “Excellent Performer” for at least two years by their immediate superiors.)

Over time, Abhishek realizes that the learning opportunities in his current role have plateaued. Given his longstanding interest in blockchain and cryptocurrency, he starts exploring opportunities in that vertical within the company. This change is not possible without the consent of his immediate boss, Mukesh. When Abhishek brings this up with Mukesh, he acknowledges Abhishek’s curiosity and enthusiasm; however, he emphasizes how Abhishek’s competencies fit him rightly into the current vertical. Mukesh assures Abhishek of more challenging assignments in the future, provided he remains a good team player. Further, he shares his skepticism about the long-term prospects of cryptocurrency. Hence, Mukesh politely declines Abhishek’s request.

Question 32

Abhishek is not happy with Mukesh’s decision. Abhishek is aware that he needs to be in the good books of Mukesh for his performance rating. However, he is passionate about cryptocurrency; hence, he considers approaching Neha directly to discuss a possible move. Neha can take such decisions independently, but Neha and Mukesh usually see eye to eye on most issues.

Which of the following reasons, IF TRUE, will BEST encourage Abhishek to reach out to Neha regarding his desired change to a different vertical?

Solution

Abhishek faces a dilemma: he wants to move to the cryptocurrency vertical, but he also needs Mukesh’s continued support to secure a promotion. Since Mukesh has already declined his request and generally agrees with Neha, Abhishek needs a reason to believe that approaching Neha directly could lead to a favourable outcome despite bypassing his immediate superior. Option C is the correct answer, as the experience of a colleague who successfully changed verticals by presenting her case to higher management provides evidence that this approach can work. It reduces the uncertainty associated with approaching Neha directly and gives Abhishek a practical precedent for pursuing his request.

Option A is insufficient because being alumni of the same business school does not guarantee that Neha will favour Abhishek’s request. Option B may explain why Mukesh rejected the request, but it does not establish that approaching Neha will be effective. Option D highlights Abhishek’s dissatisfaction but does not provide a reason to believe that escalation will produce a better outcome. Option E suggests that the cryptocurrency team needs talent, but this alone does not establish that Neha would approve Abhishek’s transfer, particularly when Mukesh and Neha usually agree on most issues.

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