Thursday, November  21


Our Workshops
Online Workshops
Overview of our Coaching Services
Overview of our Consulting Services
What our Satisfied Clients are Saying!
Resources for your Development
The Institute's Weblog
People and Projects Podcast
Check out online video and audio samples!
Archives of our Horizon Time newsletter
About the Institute
Contact us about project management and leadership development

 

Call us toll-free to reserve a date for your event
 RSS Feed

 

View Andy Kaufman's profile on LinkedIn

 

Join my list of friends on Facebook!



Previous Posts


Archives
07/2003
08/2003
09/2003
10/2003
12/2003
01/2004
02/2004
03/2004
04/2004
05/2004
06/2004
07/2004
08/2004
12/2004
01/2005
04/2005
05/2005
08/2005
12/2005
01/2006
02/2006
03/2006
04/2006
05/2006
07/2006
08/2006
09/2006
10/2006
01/2007
02/2007
03/2007
04/2007
07/2007
10/2007
11/2007
01/2008
02/2008
03/2008
04/2008
05/2008
06/2008
07/2008
08/2008
09/2008
10/2008
11/2008
01/2009
02/2009
03/2009
04/2009
05/2009
06/2009
08/2009
 

Search our site

Andy Kaufman, Expert Author on EzineArticles.com  


  Home > Leadership in the Real World Blog

[Powered by Blogger] Leadership in the Real World Blog
Notes, links, and inspiration about topics related to personal and leadership development.
 


Friday, March 21, 2008

How the Conflict in the Taxi Ended

Manage conflict more confidentlyIn a recent newsletter I related a true story of conflict that happened in a taxi on a cold night in Boston. If you haven’t read the story, click here to read it before continuing (it takes 2 minutes or less).

So, how did I respond when the driver spewed, “No! You said Hampton Inn at the airport!”

I first took a deep breath to keep from lashing out. After all, my family was in the backseat and it was important that I not do anything that puts them in danger. I knew that more than my (now nervous) wife was in the back seat. Three little ones were watching what Dad was going to model.

I looked into the driver's eyes, replied firmly but respectfully, “No, I said Monsignor O’Brien Highway. Take us to the Hampton Inn on Monsignor O’Brien Highway, now.”

He wasn’t happy but he did take the next right turn. We were suddenly in a dark, rough looking neighborhood that I’m sure didn’t do much to settle my wife’s nerves!

I pulled out my cell phone and called our hotel. In a voice loud enough to make sure the driver heard, I asked the front desk approximately how expensive a taxi fare from our origination to the hotel should cost. I repeated the answer out loud, “Did you say $15? Thank you.”

The taxi fare was already over $20, with at least 10 minutes to go.

As if I thought he hadn’t heard me (you never know with this driver!), I calmly but firmly told him, “I will be paying you $15 for this trip.” I didn’t have to speak his language to understand the essence of what was said under his breath.

I didn’t respond.

We were never so happy to see a Hampton Inn. The family poured out of the backseat with a collective sigh.

The driver knew he wouldn’t get his $35 taxi. Much to his surprise, I pulled out a $20 bill and told him to keep the change. A bit stunned, he responded, “I’m sorry for the mistake.”

Not all conflict ends quite this amicably. Enjoy it when it does. Though I don’t naturally use a Competing conflict style often, a controlled version of it worked in this case, followed by a Compromising pay out at the end.

We can help you learn to manage conflict with more confidence. Our Beyond the Rock and the Hard Place can be delivered in a keynote, workshop, or e-learning formats. Click here for more information.

Labels: , , , ,

posted by Andy at 11:57 AM  


1 comment(s)  Post a Comment

Comments

It would be interesting to ask how you would have responded if the t axi driver continued to be abusive.

I did like the phone call to the hotel. Great lateral thinking..

by Blogger dennis, 3/23/2008 7:10 PM  


  Call us toll-free at (866) 88 I-LEAD    | Privacy Policy  
Copyright © 2001-2009, Institute for Leadership Excellence & Development Inc., All Rights Reserved.