The document discusses the miscommunication between two employees, Mindy Martin and Al Sharp, over a recent promotion decision that heightened tensions between them. Their hostility escalated until their boss, William Attridge, intervened to clarify the situation, ultimately leading to a resolution and the re-establishment of their professional relationship. The text highlights how common misunderstandings can arise in workplace dynamics and the importance of communication in resolving conflicts.

1. Organization and behaviors
Heading Off a Permanent
Misunderstanding

2. Communication in Organization
• Organization Communication is the process
by which activities of an organization are
collected and co-ordination to reach the goals
of both individuals and organization.
• We are here in our case study, specifically
discussing the “ grapevine Communication” in
an organization.

3. Case Study : Summary …
• Mindy Martin was no longer speaking to Al
Sharp. She was determined to get along with
everyone in the office, so she had taken Al Sharp,
• ( a Person Having Strong Position in case of
recommendation of new marketing manager), out
to lunch, praised his work.
• But to her disappointment, Walt Murdoch was
given that position and sent to Topeka.

4. Summary …
• She and Al Sharp used to call Murdoch “ Mr.
Intolerable” because neither of them could stand his
pompous arrogance. She felt that his being chosen was
an insult to her; it made her rethink her entire career.
• Furthermore , the grapevine confirmed her suspicion
that Al Sharp had strongly influenced the decision, she
determined to reduce her interaction with Sharp to a bare
minimum.

5. Summary …
• Soon they both gave up trying to get back in each
other’s favor, and they began communicating only in
short, unsigned memos.
• Finally, William Attridge , their immediate boss,
could tolerate the hostility no longer and called the
two in for a meeting. “ we’re going to sit here until
you two become friends again.”

6. Summary …
• Martin couldn't resist the firm attitude of his boss ,
finally expressed all her rage “ Al seems more
interested in dealing with walter Murdoch.” Sharp’s
jaw dropped ; he sputtered but could not say anything.
• Now Attridge came up clearing AL Sharp’s position
said :

7. Summary …
• “ Walter’s been safely kicked upstairs, thanks in part
to Al, and neither of you will have to deal with him in
the future. But if you’re upset about that promotion,
you should know that Al had nothing but praise for
you and kept pointing out how this division would
suffer if we buried you in Topeka. With your bonuses,
you’re still making as much as murdoch. If your work
here continues to be outstanding, you’ll be headed for
a much better place than Topeka.”

8. Summary …
• Embarrassed, Martin looked at Sharp, who
shrugged and said, “ you want to go get some
coffee?”
• The next day, the office was almost back to normal.
But a new ritual had been established : Martin and
sharp took a coffee break together every day at ten.
Soon their teasing and friendly competition loosened
up everyone they worked with.

9. Question : 1
• 1) What might have happened had William Attridge
not intervened?
Answer : Mindy Martin made a lot of assumption that
she shouldn’t have. She came to many presumption
about Al Sharp that were unnecessary. In reality , the
two were actually good friend and Al Sharp was just
doing his job by being a manager, I feel that it was
very important for this way, Mindy finally had a
chance to share her feeling and Al Sharp then finally
understood what was going on. Willian arrridge
intervene.

10. Question : 2
• 2) Are the sources of misunderstanding between
Martin and Sharp Common or unusual?
Answer: These Sources of misunderstandings are very
common in the workplace. There are always
presumptions made about someone especially between
employees and managers. Talking things out and
discussing the problem is definitely help, and most
liked ends up being a different circumstance.

11. Madhav
vaibhav
Thank you