Real-Life Decision Making -- Solution
You interrupt your boss so that he can return to the office to address
the angry farmer's request.
Your boss is surprised to be disturbed during his meeting, but he senses
your urgency and agrees to meet the farmer. As soon as your boss arrives,
the farmer confronts him and demands that the oilwell on his land be removed.
Your boss is a dynamic man (he didn't become president of a large
company for nothing), and he quickly soothes the farmer with calming words
as the two men retreat to your boss's office. After a few minutes, they
emerge and the farmer departs.
Your boss tells you that he referred the farmer to the company's lawyer,
and then he explains that his meetings are important and he would appreciate
it if you didn't interrupt him in a meeting again unless it was truly
an emergency.
"When angry people come into your office, the first thing you do is try
to calm them and help them yourself," says Marilyn Halsall. "In this job,
you'll find it's very important to be diplomatic and use lots of
tact.
"But with some people, no matter what you do for them they won't be
happy until they see your boss. In these situations, you can't give into
them. You should suggest someone else they could see, or else tell them they'll
have to wait."