We are faced with a 48-year-old consulting executive, Cédric, who is extremely conscientious, reliable, self-taught, who works as is often the case in this sector of activity, in tandem with a junior, Julia, who is very ambitious and extremely personal in his behavior.
He lives in increasingly difficult working conditions which make him gradually lose the taste and sense of his profession.
In his professional setting, he does everything to face and hide his suffering.
But, irritable at home, he confides in his wife and tells her of the difficulties of his situation.
One day, Julia complains about Cédric to their common hierarchy; this is the first time that anything negative has been reported about Cedric's behavior. Approached by this hierarchical superior, Cédric says nothing or rather he tells him that he is going to solve the problem with Julia himself.
Attempts at solutions
Cédric negotiates compromises with Julia; it does not work. Ambitious, selfish, Julia moves forward. She wants to progress at all costs.
Cédric suffers but still says nothing; he does not set limits to Julia nor to himself.
He sponges up Julia's clumsiness with their colleagues as well as with customers. Julia is not grateful to him.
A breakdown of equipment will further deteriorate relations: he occasionally asks her for help and she refuses it.
Cédric will then decide to "sanction" her by keeping more and more at a distance, which will generate a new approach to complain to Julia to their hierarchy. He pisses me off, says Julia. This was the “supreme betrayal” Cédric will say.
Cédric will then completely step aside in front of Julia to satisfy the ambition of the young woman.
But he suffers, completely questions his profession and sees only one solution: to leave. He is in fact in a situation of announced burnout.
He then asked the Human Relations Department for mobility. The latter, uninformed of the previous episodes, does not understand Cédric's reasons. She has no immediate solution and offers a skills assessment while waiting.
Cabinet action
It was at this time that Lact was contacted by the HRD to revisit Cédric's request and in particular:
- reframe Cédric's request
- start from their weaknesses and their limits: they must stop the exploits because to admit their weakness is to experience being strong
- manage relational tensions by taking very small relational risks.
Today, Cedric says:
- I wanted to control everything, now I delegate
- I am no longer in the rush for mobility
- I'm grateful to my company for empowering me to get through this so fast
