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Problem solving

19th May 2014
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The response to last week’s diary was very interesting.  Some posters thought I shouldn’t have spoken to Mrs Dragon and should have just let her and No 2 sort out the dynamics of their relationship themselves.  Others – the majority – believe I did the right thing to intervene at an early stage.

I spoke to Mrs Dragon because I’ve worked in an office before where one person wasn’t a good team player.  She took sick leave if her dog had a sore paw, she was rude to other team members and upset them, and her language in the office would have made a sailor blush.  The bosses never said a word to her, being of the opinion that the staff were all old enough to sort things out for themselves.  Several good people left because of her, and those who stayed found the workplace very difficult.

I didn’t want to let that happen for the want of a quiet word with Mrs Dragon.  I believe it’s the employer’s responsibility to do as much as possible to create a friendly, co-operative working atmosphere, with as few feuds and cliques as possible.  There will be disagreements between co-workers.  There always are disagreements when people are at close quarters with each other.  But it’s the employer’s job to keep a watchful eye out and make sure that these disagreements don’t fester and are resolved quickly and amicably, for the good of the team.

Mrs Dragon showed no signs of warming to No 2 before I had a word with her, but since our discussion she’s included him in all the tea rounds, and she doesn’t seem to be ignoring him any more.  I even caught them laughing together over BD’s Sam Allerdyce impersonation last week.

Maybe a corner has been turned.  I hope so.

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Replies (3)

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By cbbcbb
20th May 2014 12:18

Think you had it just right.

Spot on - leadership is about leading and gently controlling the ship.

However, I hope number 2 is doing his share of the tea making - else she will have a good reason to be resentful.

 

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By LucasJohnson
22nd May 2014 12:05

Office Politics

Does my head in!

 

I do agree with the sentiment of just get on with it and get on with each other, it's a ridiculous waste of time having to manage it, witness it and be involved in it, however I do agree that you were spot on and it's great news it worked out well, after all even intervening can have its problems.

 

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By carroccio1958
23rd May 2014 13:23

Who the hell is Mrs Dragon ?

Is she that Deborah woman on Dragons Den . ?

If yes I wouldn t touch her with ten bargepokes in case she verbally consumed me for breakfast and spat me out by elevenses .

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