Question

1. Describe a business situation where you felt uncomfortable or ill at ease
2. What would you do differently to handle the situation?
3. What can you do to maintain composure in even the most difficult or stressful business situation?

Answer 1

Describe a business situation where you felt uncomfortable or ill at ease

I have a business of producing wheel chairs and recently my business had a slump due to pandemic. I approached an old age home for a potential business to esquire. The in-charge there of purchase firstly looked at the product carefully and he like it in quality and cost. After that while finalizing the deal he asked for an amount as business fees in terms of a gift from me. On further inquiry I found out that he wanted a bribe for giving me the business. I got upset and asked him that under no circumstance I shall pay any bride or indulge in illegal activities to gain the purchase order. This incidence made me very uncomfortable as the noble cause institutions such as old age homes also indulge in bribes and shady activities was disturbing for me.

What would you do differently to handle the situation?

In retrospect I should have politely asked him that I would like to reconsider this deal and contact him later and left from the office. As in the uncomfortable situation the in charge if found cornered could have put the blame on me instead and this could have hurt my reputation but thankfully that did not happen. But to handle differently use of diplomacy and leaving the office without any major disagreement would have been a better choice

What can you do to maintain composure in even the most difficult or stressful business situation?

To maintain composure in even the most difficult or stressful business situation, from that incidence I follow a rule that if I get uncomfortable then I have to excuse myself and leave. I tend to make a polite excuse and leave from there instead of confronting the person and creating a scene or complaining. Politely disagreeing and leaving makes more sense as the other person clearly gets your message without any fuss and you too get to have you reputation for honesty maintained. I try to stay calm and show no disappoint ment in my face or behaviour and try to be as professional as possible in the awkward situation. By this method we keep the dialogue open in case the other person wants to do the honest business and keep the relationship with the client instead of impulsively crossing paths.