Imagine you are a production supervisor at a hand-tool manufacturer such as Snap-On Tools. Your boss says, “I know you were looking forward to your trip to Hawaii next month, but we will be stepping up production and three new employees will be joining your group. I wish you would consider staying to make sure everything goes smoothly.”

a. What is the nature of the conflict in this situation? In other words, what two goals are impossible for you to achieve at the same time?

b. List as many solutions as you can think of to resolve this conflict.

c. Which solution do you prefer? How could you present it to your manager?