Real-Life Communication
You're an auditor who is in the process of finalizing an audit in
your company's human resource (HR) department. Although you haven't finished
analyzing the last of the department's documents, you plan on finishing within
the next two days so you can write your final report by week's end.
This
morning, on your way to your office, the director of the HR department stops
you in the hallway. He would like to speak with you so you can brief him on
the recent findings of your audit.
This is a normal request, and you've
often met with other department directors to discuss how the audit is going
and what the expected results will be. However, this particular director and
you don't see eye to eye and he has criticized your work in the past, for
no apparent reason.
Communication between the two of you is often strained
and you're worried he'll criticize your work again, but this time in front
of your boss. You're sure this is a result of what you do, not necessarily
who you are, and you think he's just nervous about being audited again.
It
is essential for you to communicate your findings to the director so you don't
hinder the remainder of your audit and you don't upset the staff in his department.
It's important the HR department continues functioning as normal
so you can complete your audit and have it on your boss's desk by week's end.
How
would you approach the HR director? Write out what you would do, then compare
it to our solution.