Page 93 - my SUCCESS! my CHOICE

Deepak Gupta my SUCCESS! my CHOICE
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‘Lose-win surrender is the right way in this conflict situation.’ Thought Dan.

Before Tom could get over the surprise from this un-Dan-like admission of personal failure,

Dan continued, “I failed to provide the context and my intent for our conversation that day.

I am sure you would have been extremely disappointed. Sorry for that.” Surrender continued!

Tom’s anxiousness vanished and a light smile replaced it, “Thanks Dan. Yes, I was confused

as I was unable to understand the purpose. It appeared to me that you were once again trying

to justify the reasons for my stagnation.”

“I realized that too, seeing your cold reaction to what I thought was very important

discussion.” Dan hesitated, took a deep breath, laboring for the choice of right words, “I had

withheld an important information from you probably fearing that I might seem weak.” Dan

was aware of the tightness in his stomach as he spoke those difficult words conveying

something that he had never admitted to anyone in his life. Though he tried not to show

outwardly, the tension in him had raised his heartbeat and suddenly the air conditioning had

stopped cooling; his body was hot.

Tom was sitting stunned, speechless and it showed on his face. He had never seen Dan so

vulnerable. At that very moment Dan went up a notch in his esteem. Truth and transparency

can do this to people. Win-Win!

Whether Tom became aware of how he was feeling, Dan will not know. But as the weight

was now off his chest, he started to breathe somewhat easier. ‘Boy it is not easy to share your

vulnerability with a subordinate! But I think I have engaged him.’ he thought.