Interpersonal Relations Case 9.1 Ashley Uses Passion as an Excuse commission, yo

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Interpersonal Relations Case 9.1 Ashley Uses Passion as an Excuse commission, you don't care if the company loses money Ashley works as a price estimator in the division of a the project." Ashley offered no apology for her outburst large electronics company that manufactures and sells security systems to business firms. She holds a degree in electronics technology and has extensive knowledge ager, "Goal setting for me is a dumb (expletive) idea. I about security systems. In recent years her company has have no work to do unless this time-wastin prospered because of heightened concerns about secu account-hogging sales group gets off its butt and makes rity. The market for security systems in her area, how A week later at a department meeting to discuss goals for the year, Ashley said to the group, including the man- g, expense- some sales." Horrified, the manager said to Ashley, "You are being er, has beco has a security system. totally unprofessional. Please apologize to the sales group New business for the division comes mostly from get ting companies to switch to her company or from security system upgrades with existing customers. Ashley said, "Okay, maybe I shouldn't be so truthful in what I say. I can't help it. I'm a passionate person wants results for the company." As a result of the security business having stabilized in the geographic area, the atmosphere in the office has Questions become tense. Workers have become less calm and pleas 1. To what extent does Ashley being "passi ant than they were previously. Ashley, who has had a vola onate" justify her expression of anger toward coworkers? tile personality since early childhood, has become tenser 2. What do you recommend that Ashley's mana than her coworkers. During a recent project to upgrade the security system at a pharmaceutical warehouse, the sales representative accused Ashley of providing a cost estimate too high to clinch the deal. Ashley replied, "You are a sad 3. What career advice might you offer Ashley? (Or does (expletive) sales person. You will tell a prospective client anything just to bag a sale. So long as you get your coworkers do to resolve conflict with her i office? Or should the manager and coworkers just ignore her? she need any advice?)

Explanation / Answer

As shown in the case, Ashley who has been a hard worker is facing some tough time in her job due to lack of movement in her areas of expertise. She is facing a bleak future where the demand for security systems is reducing due to new companies in market and new technologies. She has been a passionate worker and has demonstrated great skills in her previous assignments. But after having such a hard work centric life, going to a space where there is no or less work is hurting Ashley. The reality of the situation is that Ashley wants to work but is unable to do so due to lack of sales. Her anger has been building up for some time and it burst out once in a while. It was the situation when she shouted at the sales executive for high sales estimate. Although her passion for the job is appreciated, she has no right to vent her anger or frustrations on others. Her coworkers are also facing the same difficulties and sales team is facing even bigger challenges. Without showing empathy for them, simply blaming others cannot be justified under passion. If she was indeed passionate about the work, she could have helped in generation new leads or providing new creative solutions to improve the product. I would recommend the manager to have a honest conversation with Ashley regarding the issues she is causing other team members. While she may justify saying passion, very often anger outbursts can end in violent situations that can endanger a team bonding and organization culture. There will always be cases where an employee pushes too hard and when there is no reward in return to get frustrated and share the frustrations on others. Such an approach is not right and is similar to the one given in the case. Her manager can discuss the challenges she is facing and identify new work areas where she can be more involved than her existing role. The team members should also show empathy in dealing with her case. They should not allow her outburst to derail the team bonding or create panic in the company. If she does not respond to any communication and still continues to act the same way, then manager has to have strict words and actions to ensure she is not harming the work ethics and culture of the team. I would advice Ashley that in any job role there will be times when the future seems difficult, there will be times when there are projects ongoing and it would seem difficult to and momentum in the work. In such times, Ashley or any other employee can utilize it for improving the skill set and pick up additional areas of responsibility. They can use it as spring board to learn new things and become more competent with the job. There will never be an end to learning so such times should not be waster. In addition, I would recommend Ashley to take up some hobby so that after office she would be kept busy and not focus too much on the office concerns and endanger her personal mindset.

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