THREE (3) MAJOR QUALITIES OF A HR MANAGER — this is no ordinary yoghurt
Being a human resources manager is a pretty tedious and demanding job. There are days when our conflict resolution skills get tested.
It was Friday noon. While I was relieving myself in the toilet, I heard loud noises echo from the office walls. When I opened the door, I saw my coworkers, Kaka and Bridget, dragging each other.
Bridget is maligning and yelling back at Kaka, who is yelling at her like crazy. “WHAT’S GOING ON HERE, KAKA?” “WHAT’S ALL THE FUSS ABOUT?” “She ate my yoghurt!” Kaka responds. Before Bridget could speak, I cut them off and led the two women to my cubicle.
I got a glass of water and handed it over to Kaka. Bridget stood there with her arms crossed and her face crumpled and unapologetic. "Yes, Bridget," Mr Felix said during our meeting, complaining about her recent performance and attitude. "Afterwards, we agreed to work more as a team, which I have been doing but... “Miss Bridget, please get to the important part of my question,” I respond. “Oh!”
For context, Bridget has become mean to Kaka after she cost us a contract with one of our most loyal clients. Her incompetence almost cost her her job, but as one of the oldest working staff members of our company, we pardoned her. I suggested that we pardon and warn her one more time before the company takes any drastic decisions. She had been performing well until recently. I let Bridget finish her side of the story, then let Kaka speak. Kaka got pretty emotional while talking. I asked her to pause, breathe, and freshen up so we could discuss her struggles over lunch.
The weather was calm, humid, and windy—the perfect midday weather. So we headed to Iya Amala to place our orders. Kaka ordered a plate of fried rice, coleslaw, and chicken breast, while I ordered two portions of porridge beans, plantains, and fish. The moment we sat down to wait, there was a long moment of silence. I stood up to grab a few bottles of water. She gulped hers down, sighed, looked me straight in the eyes, and said, "I’m feeling like a fucking loser right now, Ima.” “Why, Kaka? Take a deep breath, K. “Can you tell me what’s wrong?” Then she goes on to narrate her ordeal.
Kaka isn’t at peace at home. She is in a six-month relationship that has been draining her dry. Her boyfriend is an overbearing narcissist. Who left her with domestic and financial responsibilities that she struggles to handle. Hence, she struggles at work and in her relationship, and now she’s found out she’s pregnant! No wonder she’s been off the grid.
I asked her to take time off to settle her affairs, but she hesitated because she didn’t want her boyfriend to have a clue.
Our food came, and we ate, but she struggled to finish her meal. All her frustrations have made her lose her appetite for everything, including life. I helped her dissect her issues and come to a progressive result.
Kaka finally opted to take a few days off, visit a gynaecologist, and set things straight with her boyfriend.
Then she says, “Why are you helping?" "Why are you being so nice to me, Ima?” “Because that’s my job.” And as the HR of this sound institute, I must be:
1. An effective communicator:
Part of my responsibility is, to be honest, caring, and trustworthy, with all the information you’ve shared. And to achieve these, we must communicate, to ensure everyone on the team is fit to perform.
2. Ethically responsible (honesty and discretion):
I must ensure that you can trust me and that the information you share stays between us. And it is my responsibility as the firm's mediator to be open with you and your colleagues, to aid your well-being, to facilitate your interactions, and to understand how this affects the company.
3. A good leader and conflict manager:
And to do this, I must promote a friendly and healthy work environment, manage conflicts, and be exemplary and supportive.
“I see; well, thank you so much for this. I feel much better about everything.”
“You’re welcome.”
So, Kaka and I rounded up at the eatery on a good note, returned to work, and continued.
My project manager asked me how it went, and I briefed him. We concluded that Bridget would issue an official apology before tomorrow morning.
After work, I took the train to Amy’s Brownie Cafe to buy the infamous yoghurt that caused a commotion. When I arrived, I ordered one but couldn’t wait to try it, so I grabbed a spoon and was astonished! It’s no wonder she got upset at Bridget. This is no ordinary yoghurt! This is delicious, creamy, and worth every drama that happened at the office. I ordered two more and took my leave.
Once I got home, my partner screamed from a distance. “Right on time, babe,” he said, then handed me a plate of spaghetti with fish sauce and kissed my forehead. I bought the parfait that caused so much drama at work today. “Ah! For real? Okay, I will have it after dinner.” “Trust me, babe, it was worth the fight.”
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