Difficult at work

[mindful_seeker]

I asked how I can best react to a challenging situation (person) at work, and was given 29.2 > 8.

Can someone help?????

-mindful seeker

 

[dobro p]

It's a risky situation, but if you go looking for something in it, you'll get something of what you're looking for.

In other words, the best way to react is to investigate or go looking for information or understanding, cuz if you do that, you'll learn something. Seek and ye shall find.

 

[femke]

Hi Mindful Seeker

I would say, based on the answer, that this situation is dangerous and will stay for some time. You have to be careful not to aim for too much at this point. So, for some time it won't be possible to change the situation (difficult relationship between you and the other or others) drastically, you have to strive for only small goals. If you do this, it should turn right, either between the two of you or between you and the other colleagues (depending on the context). I think 8 is a powerful hex., something to look forward to in these times of struggle.
I hope I'm not "kicking in open doors" too much (as we say in Holland), maybe this is all too obvious to you and you are looking for a more abstract kind of answer. I just find it helpful sometimes when I'm in the middle of something to have someone conclude it for me (I hope I use the right translation).

Femke

 

[mindful_seeker]

Thank you Dobro and Femke. The situation is for sure dangerous, so Yi has that right. I had been hoping for more insight as to how to best handle this situaiton. Telling me to not expect much just verifies what I already know. I guess this is OK sometimes for Yi to speak this way? I just don't feel that the 8 refers to me and this employee, I believe it speaks more about the overall organization and how it will respond to the danger. At least this is my hope. I hope one person doesn't end up ruining the whole environment, although this person is trying hard. I will just take it slow and simple, and see where it goes.

-mindful seeker

 

[dobro p]

I think the 8 is built into your situation, if you think of 8 as some kind of 'uniting with a group'. If this is a work situation, then uniting with other people to do the work is necessary, whether you like the other people or not. And I also think that the Yi *did* give you insight into how to handle the situation, as I outlined above. The Yi doesn't translate its advice into specific, particular situations - that's your job - but I can see how 'seeking something valuable' in this situation could occupy your whole approach to it. Just takes some imagination. Here are some questions you could ask yourself, which would shape the way you deal with the situation (they're all according to 29.2, as I understand it):

* How can I handle this situation better than I have been?

* Where's this person coming from? What's their motivation?

 

[jte]

I think part of the meaning of 29.2 is to take small (discreet, in your case, maybe?) steps to minimize your exposure to this danger. So, I'd see that as part of the advice.

In a way this is not so different from 29.3, but in that line it's emphasized even more and the Yi advises ceasing movement/action. In a 29.2 situation it's okay to act, but carefully - in the right way.

Hope things go okay...

- Jeff

 

[mindful_seeker]

So far so good, but the real test comes tomorrow. An employee has quit, following being placed on probation after he was discovered leaving work early to go to another job, and being paid at both places. Now he is spreading lies about the organization and about me, and as his employer I can't reveal the other side of the story. It's creating havoc. Wish me luck.

 

[femke]

Good luck, mindful seeker! Based on 29.2, be careful now, I would say act strategically and accept that you have to restrain yourself. But there are probably a lot of people on your side, even if they don't speak up.
What is the havoc that you are referring to, is it on an organizational level only or also in your mind? It must be a tough situation. But hex. 8 shows a situation of natural leadership, a very good sign for a workplace I think. So the present havoc might, in the long run, even improve the working conditions. I'm curious as to how it will develop.