Organizational behavior and communication

¶ … William Attridge not intervened?

Had he not intervened, the relationship between Mindy Martin and Al Sharp would have continued to deteriorate. The situation might have become so intolerable that each would have found the other impossible to work with. This would have escalated and affected the entire workplace, making it necessary to transfer either or both Martin and Sharp in order to create a more effective workplace for everyone else. Many factors play a part in this scenario. Martin's inclination to turn a cold shoulder is fueled by her hasty conclusion that Sharp influenced the management decision against her favor. This is exacerbated by Sharp's tendency to be intimidated by Martin's educational achievements. It is thus in the favor of both that a neutral party intervened and cleared the misunderstanding between the two.

Are the sources of misunderstanding between Martin and Sharp common or unusual?

The sources of misunderstanding between Martin and Sharp are very common. It is a human tendency to jump to conclusions and take the actions of others at face value. Martin's perception of Sharp's aloofness is thus understandable, but nonetheless hasty and erroneous. When the matter is explained, it is therefore clear why he responded well to her efforts at making friends. Martin nonetheless never addresses the issue directly, and from this follows her second erroneous conclusion, that Sharp disfavorably influenced the promotion decision. Regardless of her cold attitude however, Sharp never makes the effort to explain his actions, nor does Martin attempt to inquire.