Grace and Mercy for You

Does this offend you? Then it might be you. Do you think it’s funny? You should still check…

You know, the funny thing about satire is that it isn’t funny at all to those who are having it done to them. I guess human nature is inherently proud (read arrogant) and doesn’t like to be messed with. For example: Hitler had no  ha-ha whatsoever when it came to comedians doing spoofs on him. It’s sad, but even those among us with less ambition than a man bent on taking over the known world can still suffer from an unteachable ego.

Personality and Leadership Potential Test

Read the following conversation and answer the questions at the end.

District Supervisor:  You haven’t met your sales target this month.
Branch Mgr:  I’ve completed all my projects. The customer’s check was deposited this morning.
District Supervisor:  Well it hasn’t shown up yet on last week’s finance report.
Branch Mgr:  No, it was deposited this morning.
District Supervisor:  I don’t see how you think we can make intelligent decisions if you don’t include your deposits in your reports.
Branch Mgr:  Ahhh…..  I’ll work on that.
District Supervisor:  Good.   By the way, because you didn’t produce last month, Head Office has called for a spending freeze for your section.
Branch Mgr:  A spending freeze? How can I buy the components I need to complete this month’s orders?
District Supervisor:  A special committee has been struck at Head Office. They will carefully review your requests and approve them. If they are necessary.
Branch Mgr:  But Head Office has already approved all my projects.
District Supervisor:  They need to make sure that the materials you order are actually needed for those projects.
Branch Mgr:  How will they do that?
District Supervisor:  They’ll meet at least once a week and review your requests. Don’t forget to send in all your drawings, and your sales prospects.
Branch Mgr:  But they have all that stuff already.
District Supervisor:  No, the Engineering Approval Department has all that stuff.  The Approval For Purchasing Committee needs it. You can’t expect them to be familiar with hundreds of projects.
Branch Mgr:  Why can’t they get it from Engineering?
District Supervisor:  Do you think they have that kind of time?  Don’t you realize they have to approve projects for at least 6 other sections?  I think you’re not being a ‘team player’.
Branch Mgr:  Sorry, I didn’t mean it that way.  But if Head Office has already approved my projects, why do they need to approve them again?
District Supervisor:  Aren’t you listening very well?  You’ll have to be quicker on the uptake if you expect to stay with this organization.  I told you.  Purchasing needs to approve it.  Purchasing knows that Head Office make purchases that aren’t necessary.
Branch Mgr:  What does that have to do with me?  Why don’t they just send back their own stuff?
District Supervisor:  I think I detect a bit of attitude here.  Look, Joe, if Head Office has made unnecessary purchases, they KNOW that sections in the field have done the same.  They can’t go back on their own purchases because it would cause hardship; but they are making a commitment to not re-order when their supplies run out.  They want everyone to stick to the same standards.
Branch Mgr:  I see.   Well, I don’t really see why they can’t trust me to order what I need for the projects they’ve already approved.
District Supervisor:  Hey!  Don’t accuse Head Office of not trusting you. They trust you completely. If you think they don’t trust you, they won’t know if they can trust you.
Branch Mgr:  They trust me? Then they must think I’m a moron that is incapable of making those decisions if they think an uninformed committee can make better decisions than I can.
District Supervisor:  Look, this is hard on all of us, Okay?  Just try to get a better perspective.  Head Office appreciates your work, and knows that this extra reporting will add to your load.  And by the way, make sure you complete all your projects on-time.
Branch Mgr:  Well I better get to it.  I need to order some stuff today or I’ll have to stop production – my last order was shorted by the supplier.
District Supervisor:  You should have planned further ahead.  The committee only meets on Mondays.
Branch Mgr:  What? How can I get approval then?
District Supervisor:  I’m sure you have extra Supplies you can use until due diligence is performed. Head Office has extra supplies.  You probably do too.
Branch Mgr:   I may have to shut down.
District Supervisor:  You don’t have the authority to shut down. Besides, how would you make your sales quota?  Head Office would be EXTREMELY disappointed if you did that.  I’m surprised.  I didn’t think you were such a quitter.

KEY:

Do you think the District Supervisor  is being reasonable, as well as patient? You have leadership potential.
Do you think the Branch Manager  should try harder because it’s worth it in the end? You are insane but should also keep trying harder because the District Supervisor  knows things you can’t possibly understand.
Do you think the District Supervisor  is out of touch with reality? You are the one out of touch with reality.  If there was any hope that you’ll one day be a leader, you could try to see that reality is shaped by those in power, not by you, Stupid.