I Am an Icebreaker Part 2

Deliberately taking more than twelve hours to reply has the intended effect. Time not only heals; it cools people's heads too.

Moths will go for a zero-sum game. Bitch Boss will hide behind and manipulate the Angry Avenger to do all the dirty work. Weak Man will avoid confrontation at all costs and give in to Trouble Maker and Bargain Hunter.

What would Icebreaker do?

What would a win-win conflict resolution strategist do?

The product of a half-day deliberation looks like this.

"Dear all, it has taken me a while to get back partly due to the time difference, partly due to the time I have taken to consider. Thanks for your patience.

First, @Trouble Maker, sorry that this has caused you stress. It should be a happy occasion for you and congratulations on your new job. I understand the banking/corporate finance life so I am happy to apply clause 4.4.

That means I am going to have an empty flat. I have done some research this afternoon. The rental market is looking positive. As an opportunist, I am instructing @Angry Avenger to put the apartment on the open market. The asking rental price is RM 4900 a month in a two-year contract - one year fixed and one year flexible.

Having said that, I will honour what @Trouble Maker has offered to her friend if she wants to rent - that is RM4500 a month for six months on the condition that she pays half a month's rental as commission to @Angry Avenger. Regarding the RM500 suggestion, I had no idea how the figure RM 500 came about before (which is not my business) and how it is being applied now (which is also none of my business). It is best to leave it to @Angry Avenger and the friend. It is not my or the outgoing tenant's battle even though I am grateful for @Trouble Maker your help in finding me a tenant - that's very kind of you.

My view may seem unjust to the friend (Bargain Hunter). However, I believe it is normal for landlords to charge more for short-term rental and a full month commission applies. She will probably need to pay more for a comparable property. In this perspective, there is still an upside for the friend. Plus, I would feel more comfortable if we have @Angry Avenger to check over the flat, not because I don't trust you it will be in order, it is because if anything goes wrong, your friend can go to him. It is unfair for your friend if she moves in without much support and I am so far away.

Hope this settles to some extent. Please think about this and let me know."

Just like this, everyone is happy.

The ending? Trouble Maker gets her deposit back and disappears happily into the sunset to America. Angry Avenger gets his commission. Bargain Hunter gets cheap rent. And me? Icebreaker? I get a new tenant for another year.

If only Moths are willing to open their hands: the more you give, the more you receive; if only Weak Man stands up to face the demons and be brave; and for Bitch Boss…well, she just needs to get a life.

If only we have more Icebreakers.

Just like this, the problem was resolved. Just like this.

#adayinthejungle #icebreakers #moths #bitchboss #weakman