8.5 Apply Your Knowledge
You have learned the benefit of addressing problems with curiosity and open-ended questions. Now, it is your turn to practice this skill.
Read – the following case study. Create a script demonstrating your ability to resolve a workplace issue with authentic curiosity and open-ended questions.
The Company:
The Great Tent Event Ltd.The People:
Demetrius Atlas (They/Them) HR Manager
Kai Haunani (He/Him) Event Manager
The Scenario:
Kai is the Event Manager at The Great Tent Event and has asked to stop by and talk to you about the setup teams. In your role as HR Manager, Kai sees you as a masterful problem solver, as you have helped him many times. Kai explains that four “setup teams” are responsible for setting up tents at customer events.
In the past, Kai has rotated through the four setup teams and assigned each team to the next paid job. No team has been skipped over. Lately, the teams have been coming to Kai and asking to switch teams as they are tired of the people they are working with. Some feel their team is lazy; some say their squad is reckless with safety.
Kai likes things the way they are. The teams have been this way for three years, making their jobs easy. Kai doesn’t want to make any changes, but he has heard rumours that at least two setup team members have been talking to the local competitor about quitting and joining their company. Kai doesn’t want to start hiring as finding good people takes a long time.
Kai is wondering if you can help with this problem. He is quite concerned about his setup teams and turnover and hopes you can help.
Employee Observations and Customer Observations:
“I am so tired of working with the same group of people. My setup team is made up of lazy individuals who want a paycheck but don’t want to do the work.”
“I am stuck with people that don’t even care about safety. They don’t even care if there are hydro wires above the tent. Someone is going to be electrocuted.”
The Conversation:
This conversation is between you and Kai. You are playing the role of Demetrius, the HR Manager at The Great Tent Event. You are leading the discussion with Kai. Don’t forget to focus on being curious and asking open-ended questions. Your script should be at least one minute long when you read it out loud.
The Exercise:
