Context
This relationship challenge explains the relationship between Mark and Zarah who are employees of a leading telecommunications company. They have been in a rocky relationship mainly because of Zarahs jealousy, which has been because of her perceived sense of insecurity. The problem had escalated to a near breakup last year, necessitating the intervention of their supervisor.
Mark is a Technical Engineer with a leading telecommunications company, where he has been working for close to a decade now. Having joined the company as a trainee straight, Mark has risen the company ranks to the level of department head. While supervising the installation of a major undersea cable, Mark stayed at a local Motel on the West Coast, where he met Zarah, a humble village girl, who came from a very poor background.Mark was touched by her plight and decided to sponsor her higher education. They continued to meet and talk though out Zarahs education, and became very close and agreed to get married immediately she completed college.
Last year, the company and both families celebrated the wedding of Zarah and Mark, which was well attended by major representatives in the telecommunications industry. Sarah was soon absorbed into the company, as an administrative assistant, meaning that she and Mark would work in the same office block.
Mark, as everyone knows him, is the jovial type, and a friend of everyone, especially the ladies, who have grown quite fond of his ever smiling face and as such, he found it difficult to change this, even after getting married.Zarah did not like the idea of seeing mark chatting and laughing with other female staff in the office. Initially, she would withdraw to herself, and pretend to be busy with her work, but deep within, she was hurting. Sometimes, she would refuse to talk to her husband as they drove home, to his dismay.
All hell broke loose when during one of the companies' functions two weeks ago, Zarah requested that she be transferred to another branch, disclosing to her supervisor, her misgivings towards Marks conduct, and how she would rather work elsewhere, rather than seeing her husband flatter with other women, insisting that it has affected her performance . After having a word with mark, her supervisor noted that there was little communication between the two, Zarah was increasingly insecure and the level of trust for her husband was diminishing. He sought to speak to both of them to address the issue once and for all.
Analysis and application
The above explains a situation where two parties are in constant conflict with one another, sometimes without their knowledge. The supervisor met both Mark and his wife, and sought to explain the concept of effective communication, trust and assurance in relationships.
He explained effective communication as a level of communication that ensures that all parties involved not only understand each other, but also are seen to understand one another in the context of relationships.
He noted that unless the parties trusted one another, even the slightest provocation would lead to unwanted consequences, actions that would have been avoided with minimal trust. He also noted that unless Zarah was assured of her place in Marks heart, then it would be impossible for them to succeed in their marriage.
He stressed the importance of communication between parties in relationships and advised them accordingly. Mark noted that while he loved his wife, his actions were creating a lot of sadness to her, and sought an apology, which she hastily granted. He also reiterated his love for her, as well as the need for her to trust him always, and that there was no justification for her insecurity. Both Mark and his wife appreciated that without proper and effective communication, even the steadiest of relationships can be compromised.
