The Stories: Please Explain

THE STORIES
Please Explain
Jatin Kumar was recently transferred to a new unit of the Army and asked to take charge as the adjutant
officer to the Commanding Officer (CO) of the unit. The initial interactions between Jatin and his CO were
cordial and friendly. However, Jatin felt his CO was gauging his abilities. After the first few months, the
interaction between Jatin and his CO started deteriorating. Jatin was by nature a fiercely independent person
and liked to take decisions. He fancied himself as a fast riser in the hierarchy. The CO was known to be an
authoritarian leader who rarely gave freedom to the unit’s officer. Jatin felt that the CO was overbearing and
felt suffocated in the unit. After few months he openly questioned some of the decisions made by the CO.
This was unacceptable in the discipline driven culture of the armed forces. Jatin was handed a show cause
notice and put under suspension pending inquiry.
The Angry Customer
Jasmine works as a counselor in an IT training institute. Part of her duties are to help enroll students for the
next quarter. One undergraduate was having a bad day and took her frustration out on Jasmine. Although she
was being verbally attacked, Jasmine maintained a friendly demeanor, a helpful attitude, and a willingness to
listen to the student’s needs. This calmed the student, and Jasmine was able to reassure her that everything
would work out. Subsequently, not only did that student make it a point to be pleasant to Jasmine in the
future, but Jasmine’s supervisor noted her excellent interpersonal and advising skills and passed on her
positive impressions of Jasmine to others in the department. Sometimes the angry customer can serve as an
opportunity, if you have the skills to take advantage of that opportunity.
Mini-me
Anita used to work for the vice president of human resources, Rashmi. Anita was a human resources assistant.
Rashmi was very pleased with Anita’s job knowledge, hardwork, and initiative. Rashmi used to tell Anita that
her work was so good that, “You remind me of myself.” One day, in an effort to compliment Anita, Rashmi
says, “I think I’ll call you Mini-Me,” and then does just that by calling Anita Mini-me around the office from
then on. Anita is quite upset. She wants to be treated like an individual, not as an extension of her boss.
Unfortunately, Rashmi remains completely unaware of her subordinate’s anger or why calling Anita Mini-me
is inappropriate. Subsequently, Anita leaves and Rashmi loses a great employee.
Don’t Tell, Don’t Ask
Sanjeev joined a Public Sector Unit (PSU) Oil company as an Assistant Manager. His boss was the Deputy
General Manager of HR. The DGM was known to be fairly liberal and democratic leader. He often gave the
subordinates room to take their own decisions and supported them. However, Sanjeev being new to the job
was not very confident of such autonomy. Once the DGM asked Sanjeev to send a communication to one of
the company’s vendors who was delaying payments. As usual he explained the matter to Sanjeev and
expected Sanjeev to draft the letter and send it on his own. Sanjeev was confused and did not know what was
to be done. If he made a mistake he would be penalized and if he went back to the DGM for instructions the
DGM would feel that he was incompetent. Sanjeev decided to avoid the problem. Eventually the matter came
up in a Board meeting and the DGM had to cut a sorry figure.
Managing conflict & resistance
The Young Woman
In a house is a young woman married to a career-oriented man. She feels very neglected. Once her
husband goes off on yet another business trip. The upset young woman goes for a stroll in the park where
she meets an attractive young man who coaxes her to his house. Here, she spends the night and at dawn
she leaves, knowing that her husband is returning home. Alas, the bridge connecting to her house is
blocked by a mad man who kills everyone who comes near him. The only other way across the river is a
ferry. The woman follows the river and meets the boatman, but he demands Rs. 1000/- to take her to the
other side. The woman has no money. She runs back to her lover and asks for Rs. 1000/-; but he refuses
to help. The woman remembers that a friend lives nearby and runs to him with her plight. The friend also
refuses to help; she has disillusioned him with her conduct. Her only choice is to try and go by the bridge
inspite of the danger, and the madman kills her. This is the story of a young woman.
[Q] In what order do you hold the principals (woman, husband, lover, madman, boatman and friend)
responsible for the tragic death of the young woman. Record your individual answer in LINE A of the
decision table.
Decision Table
LINE A 1 2 3 4 5 6
LINE B 1 2 3 4 5 6
LINE C 1 2 3 4 5 6

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THE STORIES

The Angry Customer

Don’t Tell, Don’t Ask

The Young Woman

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