• Task: Each week you will read a case study based on a small business and the four employees who work there. This narrative will help you see interpersonal relationships in action. 
• Purpose: Apply these stories in an activity that helps you see interpersonal theory in practice.   

Instructions

1. Read the story below. Use the theory you study in the textbook and apply them in the activity completed later this week using the characters and story from the Bike Palace. 
2. Complete the W03 Activity: The Meeting in Canvas.
   

Mr. Vincent came out of his office and cleared his throat. He stood with his arms clasped tightly around his body as though trying to take up as little space as possible. He kept his eyes down, then said, “I’d like to have a meeting. If that’s all right with all of you?” 

Joseph immediately dropped the wrench he was holding and rushed over to Mr. Vincent, standing so close that Mr. Vincent stepped backwards to give himself some space.   

Marco rolled his eyes. Maria looked at her watch.  

Mr. Vincent took a deep breath. “As you know, my brother Carlo and I jointly own this shop.” 

“I see,” Joseph said, nodding and smiling.  

“I manage it, but James is the co-owner,” Mr. Vincent said. 

“Is that helpful to have a co-owner?” Joseph asked. “Does he have a business background?” 

Mr. Vincent shrugged and adjusted his blue tie. “James is a very successful farmer, but he doesn’t understand how to run a shop like ours. He’s concerned with our recent profits. Or lack of profit. He wonders if we should close down the bike shop.” 

Maria looked out the window, distracted by a group of young children passing by. She watched them instead of listening to Mr. Vincent.  

“You should tell him things are definitely picking up,” Joseph said.  

Marco shook his head at Joseph. Employees were not supposed to advise the boss.  

“What is the point of this meeting?” Maria said, trying to get the meeting back in order, so she could get home to her son at a decent hour. 

“There’s probably going to be some changes around here,” Mr. Vincent said.  

Changes? Joseph thought, excited. That’s exactly what we need.  

Changes? Marco cringed. The last time we had a change Mr. Vincent hired that idiot Joseph.  

Changes? Maria thought, her eyes welling up with tears. I can’t handle any more changes in my life now. 

Mr. Vincent dismissed the meeting. Marco went back to work, but Joseph followed Maria to the cash register.  

“Are you all right?” he asked.  

“I’m fine.” Maria slammed the register drawer shut.  

Joseph sat down next her. “You can talk to me.” 

Maria didn’t like Joseph, but he stared at her quietly, as though he really did care.  

Joseph listened as Maria told him about her son. “My son’s football games start at 5 PM, the time I should be off work each day.”  

What has this got to do with anything? Joseph leaned in to make sure he understood her, giving her his full attention.  

Maria said the word should with sharpness, as though she was angry. Joseph noticed the tears in her eyes. He glanced at the clock. It was 5:10 PM.  

Joseph remembered Mr. Vincent had been keeping all of them well past 5 PM all week long. He remembered his own mother, a teacher, had missed many of his football games because she was working and how sad that made her. He also remembered how cranky Maria had been all week. 

“You want to get to your son’s football games on time,” he said. “You don’t think it’s fair that Mr. Vincent has been keeping us here late.   

She nodded. “I’m worried that these changes will mean even more time at work.”  

“I will help you get out of work on time, if I can,” Joseph put out his hand to shake Maria’s. “Deal?” 

She smiled, nodded, and shook his hand.