This document appears to be from a workshop on soft skills in software presented by Evan Leybourn. It discusses various aspects of communication, collaboration, and cooperation. Examples include communicating concisely and non-verbally, the cultural aspects of collaboration, and how cooperation requires trust, skills, and negotiated outcomes. Interactive exercises are also referenced to demonstrate these soft skills in practice.
10. @DipeshPala
@eleybourn
A very large Oak was uprooted by the wind and thrown across a
stream. It fell among some Reeds, which it thus addressed:
"I wonder how you, who are so light and weak, are not entirely
crushed by these strong winds."
They replied, "You fight and contend with the wind, and
consequently you are destroyed; while we on the contrary bend
before the least breath of air, and therefore remain unbroken,
and escape.“
Stoop to conquer.
EXER C ISE
11. @DipeshPala
@eleybourn
Oak Press was once a synonym for hard-hitting journalism. With bureaus on four continents, they
had the morning broadsheet market cornered for over three decades. But, after years of declining
sales and bad management, Oak Press was placed into receivership.
Reed Media, an internet start-up, took the opportunity to acquire some of Oak Press's assets at a
bargain price. A representative from Oak Press met with the CEO of Reed Media over coffee, hoping
to educate the young executive as to the struggles they'd face in the modern media market. It was
the Oak Press rep, however, who was in for a surprise.
Upon hearing about Reed Media's two years of solid growth and expansion, the Oak rep asked,
“Readership is down, revenues are down... so how is it that you, the little guy, are still in the game?”
“You picked the wrong battle,” the Reed Media CEO replied. “You fought against inevitable change,
and it broke you. We, on the other hand, listened to our customers and adapted to suit their needs.
We bent under pressure, and remained unbroken.”
The Oak Press rep learned his lesson too late: sometimes, one must stoop to conquer.
EXER C ISE
21. @DipeshPala
@eleybourn
Split 1000₹ between you?
1. Competition,
2. Collaboration,
3. Avoidance,
4. Compromise, and
5. Accommodation
Thomas-Kilmann Questionnaire: Thomas, Kenneth W., and Ralph H. Kilmann.
Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument. Xicom, Incorporated, 1974.
EXER C ISE