AboutVijayraj Kamat Expertise I can help you in getting a different perspective on any workplace issue. Getting a neutral, balanced perspective helps when you yourself are too frustrated, stressed out or cynical to form a sound opinion of your own or to separate the issue from the person. I will give you an unbiased, practical, opinion supported by sound reasoning when it comes to:
- Dealing with a difficult boss
- Dealing with a difficult subordinate
- Dealing with uncooperative/demotivated team members
- Learning to project your work and not just completing it
- Negotiating for timelines
In short, any workplace related problem thats is not specific to a specific industry. I am your 'agony aunt' column for work place woes! :-) I CANNOT give solutions to precise 'technical' problems. There is a separate section for that! Go there!
Experience I have been in the offshoring industry for about 4 years. The intensely competitive business coupled with the extremely challenging environments I have got a chance to work in makes my learning much more than the average level. Plus people management has been my interest since childhood and I have done plenty of it right since my school days. Have researched, experimented a lot in this area as well. And I always think knowledge that comes out of interest and experience is much more useful than a college degree.
Expert: Vijayraj Kamat Date: 6/2/2008 Subject: An employees Fear of flying
Question I am the manager at a university library, where I work closely with all of my subordinates. I was delighted to discover that one of my subordinates was to receive a rather prestigious award for his work in the library technology sector. When I congratulated him on his award he was reluctant to accept it saying he did not fly. I asked him why and he said that it was because his father had recently dies in a horrible plane accident 10 years ago and since then he get sick just driving past airports. He has suggested that someone receive the award instead or that they move the ceremony to a closer university (the award is on the east cost my library is on the west coast). I am worried that if he does not receive this award it will hurt his professional career and the image of the library since he has asked me not to discuss his problem. He is my friend and I don't want to force him to go but I am afraid for the sake of the library and his career he must. How do you think I should handle this?
Answer Hi Lauren
Good to know that you are deeply concerned about your subordinates. Thanks for writing in.
As for the answer, somebody else can RECEIVE the award on his behalf,right? A family member, or even you maybe! Or maybe a friend who stays closer to that university
As for his fear of flying, 10 years is a very long time, and that means it would take a long time and professional help to overcome it. So it would be unrealistic to expect him to go for the award ceremony himself.
