USA. Joe in manufacturing is in conflict with Judy in supply management. Joe goes to his boss, Anne, explains the problem, requests that she speak with Rich, Judy’s boss. Anne gets Joe’s side of the story. Rich gets Judy’s.
The two managers then work out a compromise. They call in Joe and Judy to discuss. The conflict parties like the compromise, tweak it, accept it. The deal is done. They both get back to work. Up, over and down.
But wait. What happens if they’re working cross-Atlantic?
Joe is Joe. Anne is Anne. Both in Houston. But, Judy is Ingrid. And Rich is Manfred. Both in Dortmund. How does up, over and down play out?
Scenario 1 – Up Over Down works
American business context. Joe in manufacturing is in conflict with Judy in supply management. Perhaps they made an attempt to resolve their differences. Perhaps not. Either way, the conflict for Joe is serious. He’s way behind schedule.
Joe could go directly to Judy’s boss, Rich. They’ve always worked well together. He declines, however, to go this route. Instead, he goes to his boss, Anne, explaining the problem and requesting that she speak with Rich.
Anne and Rich know each other well from past projects. Their children attend the same high school. Anne gets Joe’s side of the story. Rich gets Judy’s.
The two managers then work out a compromise quickly, after which they call in Joe and Judy to discuss. The two conflict parties listen carefully. They like the compromise, tweak it a bit, accept it. The deal is done. They both get back to work.
Joe in conflict with Judy. Joe up to Anne. Anne over to Rich. Rich down to Judy. Anne back down to Joe. Up, over and down. Another day, another conflict resolved. In an American company.
Scenario 2 – Up Over Down doesn’t work
But wait. A second scenario. What happens if they’re working cross-Atlantic? Joe is Joe. Anne is Anne. Both are in Houston. But, Judy is Ingrid. And Rich is Manfred. Both work in Dortmund. How does up, over and down play out?
Joe has little patience with Ingrid. Joe escalates up to Anne. Anne reaches out to Manfred.
Stop! How does Manfred react? Does he engage with Anne? Does he call in Ingrid? Does he allow Anne to speak directly with Ingrid? Would he speak directly with Joe?
What if Anne corresponds with Manfred by email, putting both Joe and Ingrid in cc:?
