Last September 29, Thursday, was the monthly Management Review. That day also, the IQA meeting, though supposedly held monthly, will be held after the Management Review. The VP-CS would announce good news also to the internal auditors on that day. I was so excited also to see how it would make them feel. The news was about the incentive scheme for the internal auditors.
The hour came for the VP-CS to announce the good news. Instead of appreciation, negative remarks were hurled at the VP-CS, one after another that drove him to tear his copy of the incentive scheme in two. I felt aghast that he had to do that to show that he was angry or offended at the remarks. I mean, he holds a key position in the company and to give in to the challenge of shallow-minded and unappreciative people is not reasonable for me.
If there is somebody that should be offended the most, it should be me. I was the one who pursued the program for those ingrates. I was the one who designed the appraisal and the program itself. And I was the one who even received the remark from the Big Boss that I will answer to whatever outcome the program would have, because they were not there to answer the question "Who’s idea is this?"
What part did they have? Because they were the ones who get the frequent and instant access to the Big Boss, they have to lobby for the approval. I think it is not really that difficult because the program was all set and I believe that to get the idea clearly would be enough for the Big Boss to agree. The ingrates should thank them though they did not think of that: designing a scheme to recognize their efforts to the ISO program (sincerely).
People really differ. I would approach the situation differently. I will brace myself before going to a meeting with a bunch of disgruntled people (anyway, they had neglected these people for a long time). I would put on all my defences so that I could be able to survive. I would ensure that they would be the ones pissed off (if they intend to piss me off; in humor, or sarcasm, whichever they choose). I would create an aura that is determined but sincere. But to give in to their wishes to annoy me to the greatest degree, I would not. They don’t deserve it anyway – to devour my weakest side. They are vultures that couldn’t be satiated that easy.
I think he needs this.
corporate life is like that sometimes. in spite of the effort that you put into a project, you get unexpected flak for it. if that program was supposed to be a "surprise bonus" to the auditors, with the way they reacted, those people were definitely ingrates.
ReplyDeletethat was really unexpected, Nico. their reactions and the boss' reaction.
ReplyDeletepeople have no satisfaction. after getting what they want, they would shift again to another issue without bothering to say a simple 'thank you' first, or show appreciation.
just becuz the TM neglected them in some ways doesnt mean they dont have to be appreciative - still a litany i utter whenever talks about it crop up.
Hi Bing. It was just right that you were calm when others could not. Throwing tantrums in work places is so unprofessional and clearly unproductive to the company. I guess, you will be the one to show them how to approach the problem the right way.
ReplyDeleteit's always advisable to maintain your cool in any situation. it elevates you to a level that is so much higher than your detractors'. from there, you can see the whole picture and attack the situation with more focus.
ReplyDeleteHello...
ReplyDelete'Just can't please everybody even if you want to help them...
Just stay cool....that's corporate life,..He who angers you controls you...
smiles...
--jun--
i am trying to be helpful whenever people try to be stubborn, major tom. i dont easily freak out but i am very straightforward. i believe that one has to know what or where he is lacking. one thing i notice in the company where i am now, problems, especially with people, are not addressed immediately. necessary confrontations are rare.
ReplyDeleteyea, that's right, slim whale. i just dont know what happened to the VP-CS. he's a cool guy. well, he was just pissed off that day, maybe overwhelmed by the whole situation..
ReplyDeletei believe in that passage, flexj.. he who angers you controls you
ReplyDeletei believe in that passage, flexj.. he who angers you controls you
ReplyDeleteNot really sure what the audience of the VP is Bing but I will assume that all of them are his subordinates. They say that you can classify employees into those that know and are willing to work, those that know but are unwilling to work, those that don’t know but are willing to work and those that don’t know and are unwilling to work. There is no single magic formula that can manage these people collectively. You have to deal with each category independently. The disgruntled ones are likely to fall in the “unwilling” categories. The fact that they are disgruntled just doesn’t end there. Those who don’t know much but are unwilling to work are candidates for termination. The problem are the good ones who are unwilling to work and you have to drag them to get things done. The challenge is how to make them happy and you may never achieve it and if you don’t , the bigger challenge is how to make them work productively in their disgruntled state!
ReplyDeleteTo give the VP the benefit of the doubt, I think he tore the paper to show those ingrates how disgusting they are. It might not be the most rational reaction but I guess the VP was just showing his "human" side. "Ayaw nyo pala ha? Madami pa kayong reklamo ha?! Nag-iinarte pa kayo ha?! Eto ang inyo! Pare-pareho kayong magpahinog!!!" (sabay punit ng papel)
ReplyDeleteIt's a sign of maturity rin when we can be in control of our emotions. Though sometimes, parang gusto mo na i-unleash yung anger mo, it is still better to keep cool. Kasi nga when we are too emotional we tend to do irrational things din that we almost always regret in the end.
ReplyDeleteSO many instances talaga sa workplace na you get pissed off. Ako I have always been thankful that I can keep my mouth shut when I am angry. Hehehhe ayaw ko simulan magsalita kasi baka di na ko tumigil until somebody gets hurt.
BING, what matters most is that you make a difference in the life of a child...
ReplyDelete@ bw and rhada - how i admire how you delineated the types of employees. i agree, it is really improbable to manage them all collectively. they are all his subordinates, and one thing that made it difficult for him is that he doesnt frequent the mfg site. he doesnt have that day to day encounter with these people that's why he seemed at a loss how to deal with their sentiments/grievances.
ReplyDeleteif i were in his shoes, i would have acted differently. but he is just human also, and to give the benefit of the doubt, as rhada had mentioned, he might have done it to emphasize the loss of respect.
@ bluegreen - yun ang point ko - the control of emotions. during the time, it was not really that intense for me. actually, it seemed like normal pa nga sa akin becuz being his assistant, i was the one receiving the blows most of the time. the incident can be contained pa rin, 'ika nga.
@ bw and rhada - how i admire how you delineated the types of employees. i agree, it is really improbable to manage them all collectively. they are all his subordinates, and one thing that made it difficult for him is that he doesnt frequent the mfg site. he doesnt have that day to day encounter with these people that's why he seemed at a loss how to deal with their sentiments/grievances.
ReplyDeleteif i were in his shoes, i would have acted differently. but he is just human also, and to give the benefit of the doubt, as rhada had mentioned, he might have done it to emphasize the loss of respect.
@ bluegreen - yun ang point ko - the control of emotions. during the time, it was not really that intense for me. actually, it seemed like normal pa nga sa akin becuz being his assistant, i was the one receiving the blows most of the time. the incident can be contained pa rin, 'ika nga.
Definitely concur with the idea of people involvement, making them feel that they are part of a team. One of the reasons for the hostility might be the expression of being alienated or neglected - translated, lack of communication.
ReplyDeleteThey say that it is incredibly difficult to motivate people individually and you may not suceed in doing so but you can easily create an environment or work climate that can motivate them.
seemed though that good communication is next to impossible now in this company am working for... in my case i do know how to create such an environment but i am working up to a certain wall only, bw.
ReplyDeletedarlene, heard of neville. he cant change the decision re: the implementation of the scheme. it will be pursued unless the BIG BOSS will hear about what happened and terminate it. i just hope a good explanation will come from the VPs and save the scheme.
seemed though that good communication is next to impossible now in this company am working for... in my case i do know how to create such an environment but i am working up to a certain wall only, bw.
ReplyDeletedarlene, heard of neville. he cant change the decision re: the implementation of the scheme. it will be pursued unless the BIG BOSS will hear about what happened and terminate it. i just hope a good explanation will come from the VPs and save the scheme.-->
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU ARE BEING SCOLDED first of all if i have done something that the boss/teacher doesn't agree, i say "sorry, i will never do it again and then bear the scolding. this makes them to lessen their angry.always have patience and keep saying sorry or other confession words
ReplyDelete