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Writer's pictureFellow Traveler

Supervisor Jill, Sleeping Jack

Me: Hello, I'd like to conduct a thought experiment.


Jill is a night manager at a large grocery store. There are no customers at night, only the cleaning and stocking teams of 25 employees and Jill, the one manager. One night Jill happens to need a broom, but the nearest broom is in use. She decided to get a new broom from the storage closet in the back of the store warehouse. Upon opening the storage closet door, Jill sees Jack napping head down in a chair. Again. For the third time this month. Jack is so deeply asleep that he is unaware of Jill's presence.


Jill is not aware of the HUMI model and its concepts of 4 strategies and the importance of equilibrium. Jill doesn't need a manual; she knows what to do instinctively. Her System 1 thinking can handle this situation. Jill's System 2 thinking remains in low idle.

I will alter the parameters of this thought experiment. We will consider three scenarios based on Jill's weighted value of maintaining the equilibrium of the relationship between her and Jack.


1. Scenario 1. Jill decides that the weighted value of maintaining the equilibrium of her relationship with Jack is low. She decides to use a "scorched earth" strategy on Jack by slamming the closet door shut and delivering a tirade of curses and hurtful words. She knows that this will likely hurt their relationship equilibrium with Jack, but she doesn't care. A "primal venting" would feel good to her.


2. Scenario 2. Jill decides that she is neutral about her relationship with Jack. She considered her weighted value of breaking the equilibrium of their relationship plus the risk of waking Jack to have that conversation all multiplied by the probability of a successful outcome to such a conversation. Jill sneaks out of the storage closet without waking Jack.


3. Scenario 3. Jill decides that she cares about Jack and can see his high probability to lift performance of the whole night crew team. She decides to approach Jack as if the two of were about to engage in a trade of goods. Mentally substituting trading beans for trading information. Jill feels that the core problem is a mismatch of expectation information, or some other information that could be hidden or inaccurate to either one of them. Jill has had success in difficult conversations before by engaging in the open and honest trade of information. An honest trade, is where both parties seek their individual and relationship equilibrium. Jill knocks on the door waking up Jack. Jack looks up at Jill, startled. He sees her standing in a non-threatening, relaxed manner, arms down, palms out. Jack sees a look of concern on Jill's face. "We need to talk," says Jill.


I would like you to imagine and write one script for each dialog that would likely happen between Jill and Jack. Only for both scenario 1 and scenario 3. Scenario 2 does not need a dialog.


& GPT;


### Scenario 1: The Confrontational Approach

Jill: (Entering the room with a stern look) "Jack, this is absolutely unacceptable. I can't believe you're sleeping on the job again!"

Jack: (Waking up, startled and disoriented) "Jill, I... I'm sorry, I just..."

Jill: "Sorry doesn't cut it, Jack. This is the third time this month! You're not here to nap; you're here to work. Your laziness is disrespectful to me and the entire team."

Jack: "I understand, Jill. It won't happen again. I've just been really tired lately because..."

Jill: "I don't want excuses, Jack. I need reliability. How can I trust you to do your job when you're constantly found sleeping? This behavior is completely unprofessional."

Jack: "I know, I'm really sorry. I'll make sure it doesn't happen again."

Jill: "I hope so, Jack. Because next time, there will be serious consequences. Get back to work and let this be the last time."

(Jill leaves the room, leaving Jack feeling ashamed and stressed.)

---


### Scenario 3: The Cooperative Approach

Jill: (Knocking on the door and speaking softly) "Jack, we need to talk."

Jack: (Waking up and looking confused) "Jill? What's wrong?"

Jill: "Jack, I've noticed you've been napping during your shifts. This isn't like you. Is everything okay?"

Jack: "I... I'm sorry, Jill. I've been struggling with some personal issues lately, and it's been affecting my sleep."

Jill: "I understand that life can be tough sometimes. But we need you here, fully present and engaged. Is there anything I can do to support you or help address these issues?"

Jack: "Thanks, Jill. I really appreciate that. I think I just need to sort out my schedule and get some rest."

Jill: "Alright. Let's work on a plan to ensure you get the rest you need and still fulfill your responsibilities here. How about we review your workload and see if there's anything we can adjust temporarily?"

Jack: "That would be really helpful, thank you. I promise this won't happen again."

Jill: "I trust you, Jack. Let's work together on this. Our team's success depends on each of us being at our best."

(The conversation ends with a mutual understanding and a plan to support Jack's wellbeing while maintaining his responsibilities at work.)


Read more about the HUMI Model here




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