A Story on Conflict Management

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I received a call from Sarfaraz Butt my division head this morning, he was informing me about one of my subordinate that he is going to transfer him to the other sales team.

He was “informing” not “asking”!

I replied, “Okay!” but inside I was exploding with anger. This is the third time in the current session, that Butt has shifted one of my trained personnel from my team for someone else to adopt it. I am not a fool, to spend several months in training my team member and others will ripe the fruits.  This was certainly a big distress for me, how can Butt taking away my best man one by one, and still question on my performance in monthly target meetings, “This is it, I cant bear this anymore!” I thought in my mind.

Later I cooled up my mind but still thinking what can be done in this way, I know all my men are being transferred to the sales team of Ahmed Ali, one of the team leaders in our company, my internal competitor as well. Just because of his good relations with Butt and his better communication techniques he is able to take away my boys. I thought this is the time I should personally approach to Ahmed and talk on the issue.

I dialed his number, as I waited for the beep I thought that when he will receive my call he will be ashamed of what he did, etc. “Hey! Its Imran”, I started the conversation, readily coming to the topic, I said, “Ahmed! You are taking all my expert men one by one, don’t you think this is causing problem for me to perform my duties?” “Pardon me! What are you talking about dear?” Ahmed said in an innocent tone. Here we got a different situation, this innocent guy didn’t even aware of what trouble he is causing me. Is the divisional head is transferring all men on his own will? I was confused a bit. I explain him about all the situation, how in the same session I am losing my third men, which is being shifted to his team by the orders of the divisional head, while my team now contain only some new entrants, which are not capable of bringing such a massive business, yet I still fear if I trained one more, it might be shifted to Ahmed’s team again.

I discussed the whole situation with Ahmed, and hopefully he understood, he said, “Imran! I didn’t know that how much trouble I caused you, I just demanded some experienced sales persons from Sarfaraz, I thought he might convinced you before taking your boys, but we can both formulate something which is beneficial for each other”. This was the best part, at least he understand and offering his support in the issue.

“So at what time tomorrow you will be available?” I asked Ahmed, “Let me see my calendar.. hmmm.. 4:00 pm okay for you?” Ahmed said in a questioning tone

“It will be awesome.” I am relaxed somehow.

The next day on the planned time we met, together we did a brain storming session and formulate some points, and agreed to follow on it:

1. We are working for the same organization, we should think about the benefit of organization as a whole rather than just thinking about the personal benefit or just team.
2. Before taking a member from other team, first the team leader will be convinced
3. If the team leader think that this is OKAY, he will pass the approval to the division head
4. If it is not suitable for the team leader, and one team is having loss in shifting his personnel, both the teams respect this decision and retreat
5. No one will approach the division head on it own on the subject of shifting of employees

“Ahmed! In our knowledge the points we agreed are awesome, but if they create some more issues, will you take out some time to review them together?” I asked.

“Why not Imran, of course, I will do whatever it takes for the benefit of the organization”

“I think our meeting is successful” I cheerfully shook hand with Ahmed

“Obviously! In case of any problem, don’t ever hesitate to approach me”. He pressed my hand with anticipation.

How to make your professional life successful

I have been working for an auto parts manufacturing company since two years, fortunately I have dealt with so many management issues in two years which make me learn how to work in a corporate environment and how to deal with the issues and conflicts, during my stay there are some point which I have learnt in order to make your office environment successful and how to make it beneficial for you, here it is

1. Positive Attitude: It happens a lot when we take the things negatively from the start and this make the situation worse, in order to make it more beneficial for you, keep it simple and keep it positive. When a person approaches you in order to solve any issues, make sure to get the things done take the matter to solve it rather than making it more complicated.
2. Be a good decision maker: We got a lot of issues to deal in our office life, some are urgent some can be put on tomorrow, some are critical and some are simple. Deal all the matters with same intensity, make quick decisions. People get annoyed when they see that you are not solving the issue and it is getting late thus a time come when you got a lot of pending issues and lot of internal customer complaining about you. Be a good decision maker, take quick and right decision, in a work environment SOPs are available for certain works to be done, get guidance from them and solve the issues. Issues got pending when we prioritize some customer on others. Don’t let this happen!
3. Cover your subordinates: In order to come in a leading position, and make your subordinates love you. Support them as much as possible, if they are new employees or trainees, ignore their mistakes and guide them. Don’t put them in front in matter of conflict. Be like am umbrella on them when something goes wrong, take the responsibility so that they trust in you. Remember the stronger and creative the subordinate gets the more they will make you shine!
4. Resolve conflicts: Since the initiation of the mankind they are dealing with certain conflicts, but the point is how you deal with the conflicts. The best method is to do it by meeting rather then complaining it to higher authorities, try to solve it by yourself until and unless it gets impossible to be done by yourself, don’t let other indulge in the matter. Remember the steps when some conflict arises, call the second party or person and tell them that what is the conflict, invite them to have a meeting and resolve the issue, the solution must be such that both the parties will get benefit of it, after the conflict has been resolved reassure after some time that the matter is still going as it is.
5. Be perfect: This is an important thing which might related to all the points which I have described above, you must be perfect in all your duties, time management, working; only this will bring you in commanding position. If a manager who comes late orders his subordinate to be punctual this order will not be taken seriously by the employee. Until and unless he become a living example for them.

These are some point, I hope they will make you think a while how to make yourself better in the ever competitive professional environment. If you have any comment, suggestion or have any issues with my words, please let me know by commenting below.

Syed Owais Mukhtar