Daily Dilemma / Workplace and Co-Workers 1

DAILY DILEMMA

Workplace Dilemma #1

At the office Sally taps her pen on her desk and alternately paces the room. A well worn path across the carpet in her office shows her anxiety. She drinks her cup of Joe awaiting the weekly sales report Wanda promised to have on her desk by 9:00 AM. Sally snatches the phone in her hand and calls Brice in the next office complaining about Wanda being late every other day. As Sally hangs up the phone, Wanda enters her office with a report that is not to Sally’s satisfaction.

Every day as Wanda approaches Main St. where Junction Company is located her stomach becomes knotted. She has worked at Junction for 1 ½ years and was hired because of her skills in sales. Every week when she hands over the sales report to her manager (Sally), she knows the inevitable feedback. Sally’s flaming emails get under Wanda’s skin. Wanda has had a difficult time leaving her home on Monday mornings because her stomach is so upset she is running back and forth to the bathroom. She is afraid she will not make it to work with clean clothes.

Analysis: We are seeing two different perspectives in this story. The first where Sally feels Wanda is not doing the job she was assigned to accomplish. Sally feels Wanda is not respecting the organization with her habitual tardiness. From Wanda’s perspective we see she is completely stressed out over Sally’s management style. She is feeling like Sally is unapproachable and is manifesting physical symptoms of stress over the situation.

Given both sides what is the best solution to this scenario?

Wanda needs to find a non-threatening approach and discuss with Sally about the needs of the report. Wanda’s reaction to Sally’s style of leadership is making her uncomfortable. Is there a way she can feel more comfortable when she discusses her job with Sally? Are there some personal issues in Wanda’s life that she is projecting that inhibits her from completing the report to satisfaction? Wanda needs to become more aware of her feelings and thoughts so she can complete her report and communicate in a more effective way.

Sally’s reaction to Wanda is creating a work environment of hostility. In addition Sally brings others into the situation, by her phone call to Brice. Sally needs to ask Wanda if she understands what she is looking for in the report and discuss in full the details of the report. A good leader will make sure, ask questions, and discuss all company protocols for reports. Sally needs to make sure Wanda understands without intimidation or belittling. What else can Sally do to improve the situation?

Disclaimer: : All scenarios, Characters, names, and places are fictional.