DIFFERENCES IN WORKING STYLE

Sofias Role

You and Hans have problems in the area of your working style. You are the kind of person who doesn't worry about getting things done on time. You are very serious about your work, do good work, and have frequent flashes of brilliance, but you acknowledge that you have a hard time meeting deadlines. Word has gotten around the company that when you were in school, you had a little reputation for failing to complete some courses. You acknowledge that you are a little messy and sometimes disorganized. You generally feel that being neat and organized is a sign of "obsessive compulsion." Everyone in the company knows you have good technical skills. Hans, however, is the kind of person who is very concerned about getting things done. It has been his philosophy is that "if it isn't done on time, it isn't done." Hans is highly organized in both his work and his personal habits. He credits his ability to get high-quality work done on short time schedules to these organizing skills. You and Hans have worked together before. You collaborated on a major project. The project was completed three months late but it was "done right." Hans kept giving you noise during the whole time that he was "developing an ulcer" and that his wife was threatening him with divorce because of all of his complaining. Last week, Mr. Jones, Director from the parent office in London, called the two of you and informed you that a new project was coming into the company and that you and Hans were the only two individuals in the organization who had the skills to work on this project. However, you do have an option. You really could let the project go...there is another department than can pick it up. However, success on this project could lead to professional growth and advancement. Hans has let it be known that he is willing to work on the project with you but you have your reservations. You have sent e-mail to Hans asking him if he would add an extra day to his trip in southern Switzerland and come to Milan so you could talk about working on this new project.

Questions to consider:

1) What are the main issues you should discuss?

2) How would you begin your meeting?

3) What are each partys interests?

4) What are some of your options?

5) How are you going to develop jointly possible win-win options?