Games people play

Wednesday 6 August 2008

 

Recently I revised the book games people play..applying that to the workplace scenario here are some observations:

Well I am no veteran of the Corporate world …this is just my first job. But one thing I believe as a true HR manager is people are the most complex resource to manage in this whole world. The reason being their actions are guided by many ulterior motives. Now a days you willl most of the organizations emphasizing on the team work approach. Organization are flatter and leaner. Generally bosses are very friendly and are very helpful. But this is a recent phenomenon. Not all organization have actually managed to make this transition and the ones which have done so have also not done it completely. The veterans might or might not have adopted this change.
So what changes has this teamwork and lean organization structures brought about? It is just the front end of the conversation that has changed. Now employees are generally very friendly. The message that is sent across is the same as the old times but the method of communication is different

Well let me help you with some illustrations:

In meetings you will now a days find that the use singular pronouns like “you” “I” etc has reduced. It is all about we. But please donot be fooled by this word “we”. If you sit thinking that it is we who will work then it will be a problem. It means YOU . start working my friend cause WE in this case clearly means YOU.

Also during meetings you will find another phrase that is used generally, “we are working on it…”. Well the meaning is “ sorry boss!! Nothing has started will do something and let you know later”

Another response is, “I will have to get back to you on that one ...” which also has the same theme as above.

During meetings you might be thrilled when phrases like, “you have done a good job…” This is very good, since this does indicate that you have lived up to the expectations of the project but also has an underlying message saying “you will be given more work .so enjoy”

Another phrase, “I think there is a slight miscommunication” well this actually means “I lied to you”

“We are progressing well but need a slight extension of a deadline” is a very polite way of saying “ the project is screwed and I think we need to extend the deadlines or else it is not happening”

Teams will often come and say, “we had our differences of opinion” this actually means that they have had a fight about it.

“ I think we have to find out the real reason for the problem.” This is like saying ..you screwed up and let me tell you where

Generally when things are going wrong you will see people saying “ we are a team” ..haha..but it generally means that I am not the one who is to be blamed

“This is actually a very good question”.this mostly means...I have no clue about it so give me a few minutes to help come up with something sensible to say. Generally answers which begin with this statement are global in the beginning and slowly approach the point in hand

All the best generally means trouble is brewing so god help you :)

I believe this has helped you actually understand the various nuances of human interactions and hence I belive that you will subscribe to my view that managing human resources is a very difficult task. Cause understanding them is the toughest jod in the organization.
so armed with this info storm your offices and take on your work head on… hope everyone does well and has a good time working :)

7 comments:

Junius said...

nice post
i liked it! :D

Gunjan Aylawadi said...

euphemisms they use to screw us ;)

Casdok said...

People play games all the time - if we know it or not.
Interesting post :)

sat said...

oahhh...feel sorry reading ur posts abt chennai...ya got to agree the auto drivers are screwy but its unfair if u isolate chennai alone...trust me delhi is as bad if not worse and so is bangalore..
apart frm tht do check out these pubs/loung bars...
geofreys in radha park inn near vadapalani
zaras on cathedral road
10 downing street somewhere in t nagar...
and the leather bar at park in nungambakkam...these are for starters..if need more lemme know
u just got to ask the right ppl to find out...if u ask ramp u wud get screwed only :P

Scribblers Inc said...

in case all of the above are originals by you, you are one heck of a writer!!good job!:)

Scribblers Inc.

Unknown said...

hope u defend chennai like b4 bro......

Gud post..

Echo said...

wow..some amazing gyaan...i hope it helps me ..gonna enter the corporate world soon...