The Road to Hell A Case Solution

1. What are miscommunications and misunderstandings happening between Rennall’s and John Baker?

The misunderstanding and miscommunication arise from the fact that both characters have differences in their viewpoints. It implies that cultural diversity was not considered while making a few points and judgments by Baker. He directed his thoughts to Rennalls, in which he said that you get along with fellow Barracanians better than Europeans. Also, he reminded him of his complaint received from Jackson about Rennalls being rude to him. Although, it may seem that Baker’s intentions in making these points are not wrong. However, Rennalls misunderstood Baker’s argument regarding Jackson, and he was given an impression of being racist. He backed up his counterargument, saying that other expatriates have the same issue with Jackson and Godson. Furthermore, when Baker tried to re-engage and continue with his interview, he made his argument based on the comparison between him spending his all life in Europe and knowing about commercial enterprise and Rennalls, who had lived most of his life in Barracania. Baker’s intention, in this case, is not wrong either, but the words were not taken well by Rennalls, who completely took it as an insult. Baker was appreciating the fact, that Rannell has come up so far in this department, where his forebears have only had fifty or sixty years of experience. On the other hand, Bakers have experience in that commerce environment of about two to three hundred years because of ancestral history. This particular argument left an impression on Rannell, which is quite evident in his resignation letter that he was degraded by Baker’s condescending tone. Rannell believed that Baker is insulting his culture by saying that our knowledge of modern living and understanding of matter goes back to fifty, or sixty years whereas Bakers enjoy the privilege of having experience of two, to three hundred years.

Rannell has been deeply indulged in the racial, political, and cultural aspects of London; he translated those ideas into the arguments made by Baker. In contrast, the advice and opinions by Baker do not seem derogatory or disrespectful in any manner. They rather are Baker’s way of putting across his points and making sure Rannell is ready to take on his new position. Had Rannell discussed this in an interview with Baker at that time and moments where he felt insulted, things would not have escalated further. He rather overthought this while he was home and made a surprising decision regarding his resignation. Therefore, there should be clear communication in an organization where thoughts are shared and respected by others regardless of cultural and background differences.