The office dynamics
MR X is a middle manager in a company. His boss burdens him with a lot of work, most of which does not fall under the purview of his responsibility. Though he feels that the workload is more than what he can handle, he does not communicate this to his boss, for the fear of antagonising him. His relationship with his subordinates too is not satisfactory. No one seems to listen to him and he thinks they are a bunch of inefficient people. Consequently, he remains grumpy and aloof.
On the other hand, his colleague, Miss Y, is confident and self-assured. She always seems to get her way with the boss and her peers.
She is able to finish her workload smoothly and has a more efficient and cheerful set of subordinates. Or so it seems to Mr. X. Life is not fair, is what Mr. X thinks each time he runs into Miss Y.
Matters come to a head when they have to work together on a project. Mr. X withholds some vital information and the project backfires. His co-workers begin to avoid him when they know the truth.
What should have been a beautiful piece of inter- departmental teamwork ends up as a symbol of bitter acrimony. Seems surprising?
Not at all! His problems can be traced to his inability to forge stable working relationships with people. What exactly is his problem? Who is responsible for it, and how best can he tackle them?
Mr. X is non-assertive. Despite not being able to handle the extra-workload, he doesn't speak up because he thinks it would antagonise his boss.
In the bargain, his work suffers, as also his relationship with his boss and his other colleagues. Unfriendly colleagues, differences of opinion and radically different style of working can all put unnecessary pressure on you at the workplace.
Healthy debates can often turn acrimonious and vicious, and seemingly friendly workmates can stab you in the back.
Such situations can cause unnecessary strain and pressure, which affect your performance. Hence, it is important to realise that Healthy inter-office dynamics, the abstract parameter, t is important for better productivity.
The dynamics are nothing but relationships between various levels of an organisation, both horizontal and vertical. Be it at home or your workplace, relationships play a key role in creating a harmonious atmosphere.
At work, it's important you forge good working relationship with your boss, peers and your subordinates for a stress- free atmosphere.
Your work and workplace should be a place for self-realisation and enhancement, not self-debilitation. This will happen only when the office dynamics are healthy.
Even accepting that some amount of conflict is inevitable, it requires intelligent handling not to disturb the apple cart disastrously.
Remember the story we were told as children where all the parts of a body fight as to who the boss is? And each part decides to strike work to impress upon the others about its importance spelling disaster for all the body parts!
The concept of office dynamics is rather akin to this child's story.
Your organisation is a highly integrated, inter-dependent piece of machinery just like our body where every person, wherever they are placed in the hierarchy, has an important task to execute.
What lubrication is to machinery, communication is to an organisation. Each member should be easily accessible to the others, and approachable.
If you are the boss, then do not use pressure tactics and leverage your status or seniority to settle an issue in your favour.
Do not always view an issue as a win-lose situation. Don't just hate to lose and see any conflicting opinion or difference as a threat. Perceiving every conflicting situation as a threat is a sign of immaturity.
As a result, even your responses become immature upsetting your relationships. You have to be able to rationalise the situation and come out with a solution that is acceptable to all.
Be objective about issues. Handling a situation objectively may not be the easiest of tasks, but it is the best solution to a problem. Seeing only one side of the situation does not solve the problem.
Do not be biased. To keep things running smoothly at work, you must try to listen to the employees and avoid misunderstandings. Remember to always encourage your colleagues and avoid sarcastic comments.
They may not be your best friends but you are spending a large part of your time with them.
If you view every conflict as an opportunity to establish healthy and satisfactory working relationships, then you will come out a winner. You need to look at a situation in its entirety and deal with every aspect of it.
All the employees should perform as a team and not solely concerned with their individual needs, demands and style of functioning.
Inconsistent behaviour with people, going back on your word, poor planning leading to a last minute rush and panic and loud behaviour at the workplace all contribute to your being a source of stress for others.
Do you react to pressure by finding fault with others? Whenever you feel threatened or insecure, do you tend to deflect the focus away from yourself? For instance, on being overlooked for a promotion, finding fault with the boss. If the workplace seems threatening, blaming the management.
Blaming others can offer a temporary relief from the situation, but it creates more stress, because you live with the fear of being found out. If you have shirked from your responsibility, it reflects poorly on your character.
MALLIKA JAYASHEELA
faqs@cnkonline.com
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Opportunities
