Upon graduation from the Industrial Maintenance Technology program, John obtained a position with a well-known Fortune 500 company. John was from the farm and was raised to have good work ethics. After about three months of training, he was put on night shift and was assigned to the extrusion department. He never received many breaks because every time he started to take a break, his radio would go off. “John, Number 5 machine is down; could you take a look at it for me?” He became angry with his supervisor. “Can’t a man get a decent break around here?” thought John. At break time John would hang out in the breakroom with all his maintenance buddies. He would express his grief about the break situation to them. They even made crude jokes about the supervisor.

Question

Upon graduation from the Industrial Maintenance Technology program, John obtained a position with a well-known Fortune 500 company. John was from the farm and was raised to have good work ethics. After about three months of training, he was put on night shift and was assigned to the extrusion department. He never received many breaks because every time he started to take a break, his radio would go off. “John, Number 5 machine is down; could you take a look at it for me?” He became angry with his supervisor. “Can’t a man get a decent break around here?” thought John. At break time John would hang out in the breakroom with all his maintenance buddies. He would express his grief about the break situation to them. They even made crude jokes about the supervisor.
John desperately wanted to move to dayshift. Every time some of his buddies at home wanted to go fishing, John would have to go home and get some sleep to be ready for work the next night. He believed if he made it to day shift, he would have plenty of time on his off days to fish. When the day position came open, John, as well as two of the other maintenance men, applied. The supervisor called John in his office the next night and told him he may as well take his name off of the list. When John questioned the supervisor for a reason, the supervisor told him of the change in his attitude since he started. He said that until his attitude changed, a promotion was out of the question.
Questions

Do you think John made a mistake? If so, what was it?

What would you have done if you were the supervisor?

What advice would you give to John?

GPT-4o mini · Answer

### Do you think John made a mistake? If so, what was it? Yes, John made a mistake in how he responded to the challenges he faced in his work environment. His growing frustration regarding breaks and the demands of night shifts led him to express negativity, which influenced his attitude and interactions with supervisors and colleagues. Instead of addressing his concerns in a constructive way, he chose to vent to his maintenance buddies, which likely contributed to a negative perception of him in the workplace. This shift in attitude ultimately impacted his career progression and opportunities for advancement. ### What would you have done if you were the supervisor? If I were the supervisor, I would approach the situation differently. First, I would acknowledge John's hard work and dedication. I would have an open and constructive conversation with him about his frustration, listening to his concerns without judgment. I would encourage him to express his needs in a professional manner instead of letting frustration build up. Additionally, I would provide feedback on how attitude can impact career progression, guiding him on ways to maintain professionalism even when things are difficult. If there were opportunities to address break schedules or workload balances, I would explore potential solutions with him and the team. Lastly, I would promote a culture of open communication where employees feel valued and heard. ### What advice would you give to John? I would advise John to take a step back and reflect on his attitude and how it affects his work life and relationships with supervisors. Here are some specific suggestions: 1. **Communicate Constructively**: Instead of venting negatively about the situation, John should communicate his concerns professionally with his supervisor. He can request a meeting to discuss his workload and break situation, presenting his feelings in a solution-oriented manner. 2. **Focus on Problem-Solving**: John should try to find ways to improve his circumstances rather than just complaining about them. This could involve proposing changes that would benefit him and the team. 3. **Maintain a Positive Attitude**: Cultivating a more positive outlook can significantly impact how others perceive him. He should try to find the silver lining in his work, such as the skills he’s acquiring and the friendships he's building. 4. **Network and Build Relationships**: Instead of only spending time grumbling with his maintenance buddies, he could also focus on building relationships with his supervisors and other teams. This could involve showing interest in their work and expressing appreciation for their support. 5. **Set Professional Goals**: John should take ownership of his career progression by setting goals and planning steps to achieve them. If he desires a day shift position, he needs to actively work towards improving his attitude and collaboration within the team. By taking these steps, John would not only improve his chances for advancement but also create a more positive work environment for himself and those around him.