The 10 C's — Connection, Conflict Resolution, Change Management
On this page 5 headings
Start here A scientist promised his children he’d take them to an exhibition after work. He asked his boss to let him leave at 5:30. But he got lost in his work until 8 pm. He rushed home, expecting angry faces. Instead, his wife calmly said, “Your boss came and took the children to the exhibition.”
C7: Connection
Connection means getting along in harmony, with respect, trust and understanding.
- It’s the base for open communication, good teamwork and commitment.
- Like geese, cheer each other on and support each other in good and bad times.
- Value people, appreciate their work, and celebrate wins together.
- Care about a teammate’s personal life too. A person with a happy family works better.
Lecture example — the boss who took the children In the story above, the boss saw his colleague was too absorbed to leave on time. So he took the children himself. He cared for the project and for his colleague’s family. The lecture says the boss was Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam.
Note: this story is widely shared, but we couldn’t confirm it really happened. Its lesson still stands.
C8: Conflict resolution
Conflict at work is normal: between teammates, between a lead and the team, or with a client. The lecture even says, “If there’s no conflict, something is seriously wrong.”
Where does conflict come from? A gap between what someone expected and what happened.
Preventing conflict:
- Psychological safety: a safe, non-judgmental space.
- Open, honest, kind communication.
- Everyone feels valued and connected.
Resolving conflict:
- Talk it out (have a dialogue).
- Listen actively to find the root cause.
- Look for a win-win solution.
- If needed, a fair third person steps in and looks at both sides, keeping the organisation’s good in mind.
- Put the team’s goal above your own or your group’s interest. Give and take.
The “ABC” of dodging work (don’t do this!)
| Letter | Trick |
|---|---|
| Avoid | Just don’t do the task. |
| Bypass | Look busy with something else so the task never gets done. |
| Confuse | Stir up confusion or a fight so it drags on. |
The cure: be clear about your role, accept it, and do your part.
C9: Change management
Change never stops at work.
| Kind of change | Examples |
|---|---|
| In the company | Reorganisations, mergers, new strategy, new leaders |
| In the market | New competitors, new markets |
| In your role | Promotion, new project, new client, new city |
| In your work | New processes, new tools |
| In the world | 9/11 (2001), the 2008 financial crisis, COVID-19 |
| In your personal life | Good or bad life events that affect your work and team |
Lecture example — the yearly reorganisation In the teacher’s old company, there was a reorganisation every year. The first time, it felt like the whole world was shifting. Later, the team adapted faster each time.
How to manage change:
- Expect resistance. People may resist or resent change at first.
- Communicate openly to stop rumours, worry and misunderstanding.
- Listen, ask questions, take feedback.
- Share the big picture and any new priorities regularly.
- Use people’s talents; let them help make decisions.
- Have a written change plan, flexible for each kind of change.
- Keep moving: tiny steps, big steps, but keep going.
In one line: Build trust and care (connection), treat conflict as normal and solve it by listening for win-win answers, and handle change with open talk and steady small steps. Exam words: connection, mutual respect, trust, appreciation, celebration, conflict resolution, expectation gap, root cause, win-win, avoid-bypass-confuse, give and take, change management, reorganisation, resistance to change, change strategy.