Key Points in Handling Critical Situations

There comes a point in time when we encounter critical situations in areas other than workplace. What are the points to consider in handling these situations?

Considering the fact that we're in a multi-cultural enviro, issues on critical situations are often encountered. They arise almost everyday.




Taken with Gabriela,prac tr from University of Technology, Sydney. 2004

At my workplace, it's a normal routine. No doubt about that! Being exposed in a Multi-Ethnic Society, critical situations come and go. Conflicts between ethnic groups are very common. You can imagine what chaos it brings if it's within the 4 walls of the classrom. Here are some scenarios: Kurdish having a go with an Iraqi, a Yugoslav with a Serbian, a Vietnamese fighting with a Lebanese, or maybe a Sudanese having a conflict with other ethnic tribes. These things are real situations. Yes, they are really happening! All sorts of issues are within reach. CULTURAL SENSITIVITY is the biggest factor to consider. Balance the athmosphere in a comfortable set up. DIVERSIFIED ACTIVITIES are suggested as well.




Psychological problems are issues too, in this scenario. You're dealing with victims of crimes, war shocked Ss, victims of rapes and abuses, deprived people, name it!! The workplace is like a melting pot and you're there to mould it. These people were disadvantaged at some stage in their lives, so you've got to be very sensitive.

How would you deal when there's an outburst from a rape/domestic violence victim in the middle of an activity? How would you face a situation when bullying starts for no reason? How about "a war shocked S" just simply stares at you and his mind is out of nowhere?
How will you manage that? STRATEGIES and more strategies, you've got to be very resourceful to survive for a decade at work.




These may seem unreal, but they're real. Yes, they are evident. Situations like these are common for people who are exposed in a multi-cultural world, who are aware of global issues.

FEW TIPS: EXPRESSION OF EMPATHY should be demonstrated at any given circumstances. RESPECT, regardless of what the ethnic background is, they deserve to be respected and so are you. POSITIVE RAPPORT should be the first to consider, if there's an interactive/ positive rapport with them, potential problems that may arise are manageable.

CriticaL Situations are not only evident through face to face interactions, these are also happening in virtual reality. How are we going to deal with things like these?

Here are key points to take into consideration:

* Letting the person get out their frustration -within reason- is the first step in finding the solution. Let the person vent his/her own fellings. Don't tell them to calm down. BE QUIET. SILENCE is the best weapon to combat situations like this. Let them talk and don't take what they are saying personally.

Never say:
.. you don't understand
.. you must be confused
.. you're wrong

* Don't get trapped in your Negative feelings about the person. It doesn't matter if you like them or not. The friction between you and the difficult person is often worsened by how you interpret his/her behaviours.

* Express Empathy if there's a need to, otherwise leave the situation alone to that person who constantly whinge. He/She will stop in the long run.

* If the situation is getting worse, expect that the person is loaded with "Psychlogical Problems", he's overloading himself with burdens and piling up more hatred within. Any person who manifests such acts has an enormous varied complexities. His aim is to focus attention in that particular realm.

* Simply disregard it! Focus yourself instead to an activity that's worth a cause! Great day to all.