Jordan is a project manager at a mid$-$sized technology company specializing in software development. Known for their strong work ethic and commitment to delivering high$-$quality results, Jordan values collaboration, integrity, and accountability. However, Jordan$$s workplace environment has become increasingly challenging due to tight deadlines, budget constraints, and conflicts among team members.

Recently, Jordan$$s team was tasked with delivering a critical software update for a major client. Midway through the project, Jordan discovered that one team member, Alex, had falsified progress reports to make it appear that a key component was ahead of schedule. This revelation caused significant delays and placed the entire project at risk of missing the deadline.

The Emotional Response

Jordan felt a wave of emotions upon learning about Alex$$s actions$$anger at the dishonesty, frustration about the potential consequences, and anxiety about how to resolve the situation. Compounding the issue, the entire team was already experiencing low morale due to the project$$s high$-$pressure demands, and Jordan$$s mood was negatively affected as well.

The Dilemma

Jordan faced a difficult decision. Reporting Alex$$s misconduct to senior management aligned with Jordan$$s values of integrity and accountability but could damage team dynamics and lead to Alex$$s dismissal. Alternatively, addressing the issue internally by working with Alex to rectify the problem could preserve the team$$s cohesion but might compromise the integrity of the reporting process.

Adding to the complexity, Jordan had to manage their emotional response to ensure that it didn$$t negatively impact the team or the project$$s outcome.