1. I agree with the decision you took as a leader to solve a problem you had. In your case, you had to satisfy a condition set by the organization you are working for. However, the condition disadvantages you, and instead of leaving the activities to fail, you find a solution that works for the organization and the personnel. In my opinion, I believe every leader can do well with the right skills, especially in problem solving. Every leader is in a position to do well for his organization. I will add that the company’s performance always comes first. However, the motivation and wellbeing of the people must be considered too to avoid cases of people living in the company due to fatigue or poor working conditions. Being considerate is a virtue that most leaders should have if they want to maintain a positive relationship with the personnel.
I believe this example would also qualify as a win-win outcome. The main goal for the CEO was that the operations of the SPF department run smoothly, and that there would be efficiency and productivity in the department. My goal was to keep everything running smoothly, while also delivering results to the clients in a reasonable amount of time. With having undertaken the CEO’s idea and then reassessing, we were able to return to the previous system, which was working efficiently and allowed minimal confusion. All goals were achieved for all parties involved.
2. Last year, we were involved with a proposal where the client wanted Internet and voice services to about 1500 sites across a state. The service currently used was a low bandwidth DSL line for data, coupled with Centrex services for voice. Because the offices were in rural towns, Ethernet was not available in these locations. So a traditional fiber connection supporting both data and voice over IP wasn’t possible.
However, there was excellent cellular service. Although it is highly reliable, typically cellular isn’t used as a substitute for copper wire or DSL lines into a commercial of government local government offices. This is because wireless services cannot be sold with Service Level Requirements (SLAs), usually associated with in-the-ground transport.
However, we were able to provide an LTE last mile solution by combining the cellular service with a high-capacity modem and directional antenna coupled with a private network connection to the customer’s network hub. We overcame the SLA issue by demonstrating 99.5% in service performance on the cellular network and offering traditional SLAs on the private network segment of the transport. This solution was less expensive than the current solution, and was much easier to install and maintain than the DSL lines in the past. A win-win for all
3. During a deployment in 2011, I was a Network Node Supervisor. With this node we were able to provide voice and data communications over satellite for up to 120 customers. We were assigned directly to a brigade (full bird Colonel) and his staff. The issue that came up was that the COL did not base himself out of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) that we were on, while another COL that was in command of a different unit did. This other unit did was a Medical unit and did not have organic communications equipment. The local COL felt that since we were in his “battle space” he had every right to leverage us for his units needs. We did not have the capacity to support two full brigade staffs. Myself and my Platoon Leader ended up having a meeting with the local COL and offered to provide services to him and up to 20 of his key personnel. In exchange he would ensure that my team would stay off of the guard roster. The COL felt it was odd that we would come to him at his level to talk about guard duty but we knew that if it came down from him then it would be held as law. He agreed and let his senior enlisted know (who in turn had a real NCO to NCO conversation with me…) but in the end we set up a communication node for them and got to keep our people out of the duty roster. Win/Win
4. At the moment, almost every organization embraces technology, but it is unfortunate that not all employees within these organizations are computer literate or have the knowledge and skills to embrace this technology. The above situation is one that created about a win-win situation between all involved parties. Technology was highly required in the organization due to its importance, which it would bring once embraced by the organization. As a result, the organization decided to employ computer devices that would help carry out the activities of the firm. However, due to the view of this situation, a high resistance appeared to arise. Some employees viewed it as a way to take away their jobs, which would be replaced by the computer devices, while others felt they did not possess the skills and knowledge they needed to handle the computer devices. The situation requires a lot of negotiation, and this is one that led to a win-win condition. In the process of negotiation, the organization and its leaders wanted to install technology in the firm, and the employees advocated for training and development so that they could handle the computer devices. As per the PON staff in 2021, the satisfaction of the counterpart must also be considered. The employees also required an assurance that these negotiation devices would not do away with their job opportunities. At the end of the negotiation, it was agreed that the organization will implement the technology, but it would also train and develop its employees so they could acquire the skills and knowledge required for handling the computer devices. The articulation of this response is that any instance in a firm where individuals are each on the other side would require a neutral ground, and this is all that would lead to a win-win situation in the firm.