Conflict in the workplace 0_O

This week I had the wonderful opportunity to experience a bit of good old fashioned conflict in the workplace (insert sarcastic tone). Learning how to deal with it in the best way was a bit of a challenge, one that I wasn't expecting, but now realise that it will be a part of everyday life once I graduate.

As I stated in my last blog I was given the opportunity by my supervisor to go ahead and plan some exciting events for the launch of one United Way's departments, Student United Way. I typed up an informal creative brief and sent it off to our marketingconsultant, my supervisor and two other interns that have worked at United Way, hoping to get some conmstructive criticism and enthusiasitc particapation from the latter recipients. Unfortuanately this was not the case.

I was sent an offensive and rather aggressive email by the interns  who, I think, were very defensive about the work being done on the Student United Way initiative.I was taken aback and quite shocked. I didn't think things like this happened in a professional arena. I was tempted to send a very rude email back but I took a deep breath and stopped myself, because I did not want to jeopardise my standing at United Way.I spoke to my supervisor and informed her of the situation and I have left it in her hands.

Whilst this experience has little to do with PR, I feel it has alot to do with professional placement. This is not high school anymore and we cannot say what we feel in the heat of the moment without serious consequences being the outcome. Learning to deal with different people of different attitudes is something we are all going to have to face up to sooner or later and I am glad I had my first experience now.

This was clearly not a positive experience, but it was a learning experience. And it will stand out very clearly in my mind in the future. I hope none of you have to deal with agressive, unfriendly people in your workplace but if you do, remember to keep a cool head!