The K-drama, The Auditors has been shaking our weekends through their investigation-themed show set in a dominant company called “JU Construction.”
JU Construction’s new audit department leader is Shin Cha Il (Shin Ha Kyun). He and his staff, Goo Han Soo (Lee Jung Ha,) Yoon Seo Jin (Jo A Ram,) Yum Kyung Suk (Hong In,) Ok A Jung (Lee Ji Hyun,) and Moon Sang Ho (Oh Hee Joon) have to solve fraudulent issues in the company, but these typical setbacks in the workplace keep getting in the way of their work.
Groupthink
In the first few minutes of the show, as soon as the first issue of JU Construction was presented in the show (construction accident) the audit staff had a farewell dinner to team leader Kwak (Jung In Gi) and Seo Jin’s noticeable silence can be interpreted as being uncomfortable with group activities, but to maintain the harmony within the group she joined the team dinner. This experience is called Groupthink.
Although groupthink usually happens during brainstorming – regarding ways to approach tasks, it still resonates with other team activities as long as the group insinuates that each member should prioritize “belongingness.”
Despite this typical setback in the workplace, Seo Jin tries to control herself from completely falling for it. For instance, when Han Soo asked Seo Jin whose side she would choose among her superiors, she answered, “Well, does the side matter? We are all in the same company anyway -” indicating that she will not join their game of choosing sides.
Generally, Seo Jin’s consistency in joining her team when going home but not during break periods (sometimes) can be a helpful technique for this kind of workplace setback.
Change
From a laid-back culture to a high-strung one, JU Construction’s auditing team was shocked by the change of their team leader and his approach to work. Not only do their tasks increase, but the required pacing and attitude they need to adapt become more demanding.
Han Soo greatly struggled with having professional skepticism (the required attitude of an auditor wherein they tend to question motives and information they received,) but the way he handled this setback was commendable. He focuses on his strengths (having initiative and being diligent) to lighten the workload of his superior. In each case, he conscientiously analyzes the possible person they need to interview. Although he is sometimes oblivion if the person is lying, he greatly contributes to the offender’s confession by being patient and influencing them to realize the negative consequences of their actions.
Contradicting values
According to Indeed, one of the reasons for high employee turnover is “Incompatibilities between team members and management” – probably due to uncomfortable feelings that employees experience when their values contradict the values of their superiors and the company. This is the main setback that Cha Il and his team have been experiencing from Hwang Dae Woong (Jin Goo.) Although, Cha Il’s insubordination towards Dae Woong is unrealistic, this doesn’t mean that one is not allowed to reject the order of their superior.
Cha Il’s knowledge of labor laws and awareness of President Hwang Se Woong’s (Jung Moon Sung) support can help us deal with this kind of setback at work.
Unrealistic deadlines
The episode where Dae Woong gives a three-day deadline to Cha Il’s audit is one of the most jumpy scenes in the show – since Dae Woong intentionally wants Cha Il to fail. To achieve this, the vice president sabotages every resource Cha Il has. However, Cha Il’s excellent management style and teamwork with his staff made him finish the work on time.
Gossip
Either join your colleagues in talking about others behind their backs or hear what they say about you is the general experience of gossip. But Gossip can cease to happen if, like Seo Jin, we remind others that it’s not good to make up stories about other people. A Jung’s acceptance of Seo Jin’s reminder and Cha Il’s unbothered reaction to gossip are inspiring.
Final Takeaways
Learning about these typical workplace setbacks may help us think of ways to assess the company we want to work for. But as they say, “there’s no perfect job,” let alone a “perfect workplace.” Hence, may the strategies used by “The Auditors” help us think of ways to manage the imperfections of our workplace?
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Featured Image Credit: tvN Drama Official Facebook Page
