CASE 3

HOODLUM IN UNIFORM

Nando is a newly promoted supervisor directly reporting to you. He manages a team of six rank-and-file
employees, mostly in their late 40s to early 50s. Nando is 34 years old and has been with the company for
three years. He was promoted a few months ago due to his exceptional technical knowledge and ability
to solve day-to-day problems in the production line.

You moved into your new team only two weeks ago. Hence, you do not know each member that well yet,
Nando included. So you are still in the “getting to know you” process and you started by having a one-
hour chat with each of the team members. You started with Nando and you found him quite pleasant,
respectful and definitely smart. Your initial impression after your meeting with him was “This guy is great!
I’ll get along with him just fine.”

Until yesterday, when Nando’s six staff approached you and requested a meeting… outside office
premises and after work hours. The feedback they gave shocked you. They described Nando as “The
Hoodlum in Company Uniform”. Apparently, Nando maltreated the people under him. Each of his staff
was a victim of his harsh words like “engot”, “utak-bulate” and “matalino pa ang unggoy” whenever they
made mistakes. The staff admitted they were indeed wrong but felt they did not deserve to be humiliated,
especially in full view of employees from other Departments. Your meeting with Nando’s staff ended with
their giving you some piece of advice: “Wag po kayong magpapaloko. Maamo pa yan sa tupa kung mga
bossing tulad ninyo ang kausap niya. Pero hoodlum yan pag mas mababa sa kanya ang kausap niya.”

How will you coach Nando on this issue?