Managing Sticky Situations at Work
Managing Sticky Situations at Work
Managing Sticky Situations at Work
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46 <strong>Managing</strong> <strong>Sticky</strong> <strong>Situ<strong>at</strong>ions</strong> <strong>at</strong> <strong>Work</strong>STICKY SITUATION #4:AN IMPOSSIBLE REQUESTSamantha has worked for a large manufacturing companyfor five years. Six weeks ago she moved l<strong>at</strong>erally to a new positionin another division. Dale replaced her. Previously Daleworked for Samantha, and he excelled in his performance. SinceSamantha changed jobs, Dale has contacted her on several occasionsto ask for help on different projects. Samantha assistedhim because she knew Dale was still learning the job and becauseshe tends to enjoy helping people. Recently, however, Samanthahas been consumed with her new job responsibilities. She’s beenworking l<strong>at</strong>e trying to learn the ropes and to achieve the goalsshe and her boss set. This weekend Samantha will leave for aregional meeting. She’ll be in and out of the office over the nextthree weeks.On Friday, Dale calls. The division chief and his budget teamare coming, and Dale must prepare a present<strong>at</strong>ion showcasingpast achievements th<strong>at</strong> illustr<strong>at</strong>e the department’s needs in thecoming months. Dale needs help. ‘‘You’re the only one who reallyknows this stuff. I’m afraid if they don’t see wh<strong>at</strong>’s been accomplished,they’ll cut our budget. I know you’re busy with other priorities,but I really need you on this one.’’‘‘How much time do we have to prepare?’’ Samantha asks.‘‘The team arrives on Friday; th<strong>at</strong> gives us less than a week.’’‘‘Wh<strong>at</strong> have you pulled together so far?’’Dale tells Samantha he was waiting to talk to her before hebegan pulling things together. He does have the specifics of thepresent<strong>at</strong>ion, namely, wh<strong>at</strong> kinds of inform<strong>at</strong>ion they expectand the dur<strong>at</strong>ion.‘‘I can’t guarantee I can do it,’’ Samantha says, ‘‘but let mesee wh<strong>at</strong> they need. If you can e-mail me everything you’ve got,I’ll look <strong>at</strong> it and call you back to let you know my decision l<strong>at</strong>ethis afternoon.’’Dale sighs. ‘‘Thanks! I knew I could count on you. I’ll get th<strong>at</strong>stuff pulled together and e-mailed right away.’’When Samantha looks over wh<strong>at</strong> Dale sends, she realizes shecannot help without sacrificing her situ<strong>at</strong>ion in her current job.It’s time for Dale to act alone. Samantha goes over to Dale’soffice to discuss the m<strong>at</strong>ter.
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