5
Comprehension: (86-90)
Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow.
No matter where you work, sometimes subtle and sometimes very obvious competition is a part and parcel of workplaces. In an environment where most workers are seeking good appraisals, awards, promotions and reputation, fairness is not always on the minds of those competing with each other.
I recall a story in elementary school about how to make a line smaller without cutting it. The answer to the challenge is drawing a bigger line beside the first line so that the one already drawn looks smaller automatically. The moral of the story is that is order to win over others, you don't necessarily need to cut them down. Instead, you can make yourself bigger by being better at the job or earning credibility fairly. Competition is inevitable, but to outshine others, one way is to do a better job or advance yourself by learning and demonstrating skills.
Some people resort to unfair means. They throw colleagues, take credit for others' work, gossip, backbite, go out of their way to please the bosses and do favours outside of work to earn favours at work, etc. When many employees at work take this approach, the culture of the place becomes toxic over time where it is hard for people to trust each other and contribute to a team environment.
Some workers either get frustrated and disengaged and 'quietly quit', that is, they stop caring about work without actually quitting and do the bare minimum to not get fired. Some others simply leave. But quitting is not an option for everyone, especially when their income supports the family. There are extreme scenarios where people have ended their lives or suffered chronic mental or other health problems because they are unable to cope. Because job hopping is not easy and not always a solution for everyone, changing the toxic culture is important.
A human resources department that trully supports employees and their well-being, a strong leadership and psychological safety at work that allows employees to speak up when they see something wrong without the fear of being reprimanded are some important prerequisities to achieve a work culture that is conducive to equitable growth opportunities for all. Such a work environment would also make the organisation productive.
Why does the writer refer to the story from his school days?
