Nora and Rebecca

[Gregorio Billikopf]

Case 3, Part I

I wanted to introduce a case early on, in relation to the conflict between Nora and Rebecca. Please read chapters 5-9 (and you are welcome to read chapter 10 if you wish), found in: Helping Others Resolve Differences: Empowering Stakeholders (http://www.cnr.berkeley.edu/ucce50/ag-labor/7conflict/).

In your opinion, which of these two women seems to be more correct in her perspective than the other? Are there particular comments on the part of Nora or Rebecca that rub you the wrong way? What emotions did you feel?

Because Nora and Rebecca are real people, please respond to the case in terms of specific comments or attitudes that you disliked, without labeling either women :rolleyes: . For instance, avoid a comment such as: “I thought that Y was a spoiled brat.” Instead, tell us what it was that was said or implied, and why that bothered you. It is perfectly OK to say, for instance, “It really bothered me when Y said Z because it made me feel….”

Any introspection you can share as to why you found a particular comment, style, or attitude upsetting, would be very helpful.

[María Lis Molina]

I think this is a case seen frequently in the companies. I believe that if you work with other people you have to decide wether you want to do your job and go home or want to do your job and have a pleasant time with the people who is around you.
All of us have different attitudes in life, but we need to learn to adjust ourselves to the enviroment we should develop on.
For what I´ve read, this company has a nice and comfortable enviroment and many people wants to work there.
The problem begins when Rebeca is designated to obtain information of the other employees and I think Nora might of felt like she should of gotten that job.
It seems like Nora wants to be good at what she does and she thinks that is only good to be perfect doing your tasks, but at the same time she feels left out.
Rebeca, on her side is also good at her job but she also has a good relationship and comunication with her co-workers. She thinks that Nora dislikes her and this makes her not to want to talk with her.
Both of them have a preconception of each other and that´s what makes the mediation so hard.
I don´t think you necesarily need to be friends with every one, but you need to be able to talk with them, listen to them, and feel free to say things to them too. You need to be friendly and cooperative.
In a nice work atmosphere the results will be sucesful for everyone.