Gillian Martin
Trainer, Speaker & Social Entrepreneur
Captivating Solutions Consultancy
captivatingsolutions@gmail.com
After a heated debate with his supervisor, John
rushes to the water cooler to keep his cool
(and his sanity)
“Why is Mary so stiff-necked?Why is she
always breathing down my neck?” he mutters
to himself
Mary, John’s supervisor is equally annoyed and
wonders to herself: “Why is John so carefree
and disorganized?”
Both John and Mary need to take a look at the
man in the mirror
It is important to do a self-analysis whenever
conflicts arise and ask the very vital question:
“Am I the problem?”
In her capacity of supervisor, Mary needs to
ensure that she displays a high level of
emotional intelligence by managing her
emotions as well as that of her the person she
leads
The conflict should end with both parties being
calm
The relationship between the parties can
improve if a collaborative approach is applied
when handling the conflict
This approach allows both parties to express
their needs and find solutions that will satisfy
both sides
Mary should also help John to improve in his
weak areas by providing recommendations for
improvement and coaching
Mary also needs to recognize John’s potential
and utilize his strengths
On the other hand, John needs to adopt Peter
Drucker’s philosophy: “The best way to
predict the future is to create it”
If John wants Mary to stop “breathing down his
neck”, he needs to ensure that he takes pride
in his work and presents his work in such a
way that he wins her confidence and respect
This should prompt Mary to give him a greater
level of empowerment
Both John and Mary should observe each
other’s preferences and personality styles
The relationship will improve when each party
provides what the other party needs
In accordance with the Myers-BriggsType
Indicator which identifies different
personality types, John has the personality of
a Perceiver and Mary is a Judger
Perceivers tend to have a flexible work style
while Judgers are organized
Ultimately, the success of the relationship is
heavily dependent on compromise and mutual
respect
The next time the reflection of your
relationship is about to be smeared by
conflict, wouldn’t it be good to first take a
look at the man in the mirror and ask the
question: “Am I the problem?”
All honour to the Lord Jesus Christ who arms
us with the skills to manage conflicts
 Conflict Management: “The RealWinner”
 Anger Management: “Serenity at Last”
 Team Building: “Harmony atWork”
 Leadership: “TheAnchor”
 Creating a Healthy Environment:
“Close for Comfort”
 ManagingYour Emotions: “Cool, Calm,
Collected… and Happy!”

Am I the Problem?

  • 1.
    Gillian Martin Trainer, Speaker& Social Entrepreneur Captivating Solutions Consultancy captivatingsolutions@gmail.com
  • 2.
    After a heateddebate with his supervisor, John rushes to the water cooler to keep his cool (and his sanity)
  • 3.
    “Why is Maryso stiff-necked?Why is she always breathing down my neck?” he mutters to himself
  • 4.
    Mary, John’s supervisoris equally annoyed and wonders to herself: “Why is John so carefree and disorganized?”
  • 5.
    Both John andMary need to take a look at the man in the mirror
  • 6.
    It is importantto do a self-analysis whenever conflicts arise and ask the very vital question: “Am I the problem?”
  • 7.
    In her capacityof supervisor, Mary needs to ensure that she displays a high level of emotional intelligence by managing her emotions as well as that of her the person she leads
  • 8.
    The conflict shouldend with both parties being calm
  • 9.
    The relationship betweenthe parties can improve if a collaborative approach is applied when handling the conflict
  • 10.
    This approach allowsboth parties to express their needs and find solutions that will satisfy both sides
  • 11.
    Mary should alsohelp John to improve in his weak areas by providing recommendations for improvement and coaching
  • 12.
    Mary also needsto recognize John’s potential and utilize his strengths
  • 13.
    On the otherhand, John needs to adopt Peter Drucker’s philosophy: “The best way to predict the future is to create it”
  • 14.
    If John wantsMary to stop “breathing down his neck”, he needs to ensure that he takes pride in his work and presents his work in such a way that he wins her confidence and respect
  • 15.
    This should promptMary to give him a greater level of empowerment
  • 16.
    Both John andMary should observe each other’s preferences and personality styles
  • 17.
    The relationship willimprove when each party provides what the other party needs
  • 18.
    In accordance withthe Myers-BriggsType Indicator which identifies different personality types, John has the personality of a Perceiver and Mary is a Judger
  • 19.
    Perceivers tend tohave a flexible work style while Judgers are organized
  • 20.
    Ultimately, the successof the relationship is heavily dependent on compromise and mutual respect
  • 21.
    The next timethe reflection of your relationship is about to be smeared by conflict, wouldn’t it be good to first take a look at the man in the mirror and ask the question: “Am I the problem?”
  • 22.
    All honour tothe Lord Jesus Christ who arms us with the skills to manage conflicts
  • 23.
     Conflict Management:“The RealWinner”  Anger Management: “Serenity at Last”  Team Building: “Harmony atWork”  Leadership: “TheAnchor”  Creating a Healthy Environment: “Close for Comfort”  ManagingYour Emotions: “Cool, Calm, Collected… and Happy!”