Unit 5 Portfolio, University of the People
In personal and workplace settings, conflicts inevitably occur. It is important that conflicts are resolved as soon as they are recognized. Conflict resolution styles, such as avoidance, competition, accommodation, compromise, and collaboration are used to address conflict situations. In the following scenarios, suggest the appropriate conflict resolution style(s). Explain your rationale for the choice and the anticipated outcome.
- Laura has planned to take a day off this week. Her supervisor Tara noticed that work demands will be high on the day of her request. She wants Laura to reschedule her day off with the promise to allow her flex time and leave as soon as the job is accomplished.
- Two talented but aggressive teammates want to show off their skills during a project meeting. One wants to take credit for the work he has done and the other tries to advance his ideas front and center. The team leader wants these two to work together well.
- A company picnic is being planned. Two subgroups are tasked to come up with a fun and enjoyable program for the employees and their families. One group has its own set of group activities while the other group leans more toward individual participation. At a recent communication meeting, the two groups have expressed their desire to work together.
- Responding to the rumor mill, Mary confronted Alyssa at a coffee break for spreading lies about her love life. Mary was relentless and fuming mad about the situation. Entering the cafeteria, coworker Latisha witnessed the entire argument.
- Mario who works as a front-line employee in a packing company is one of the most reliable in the group. One day, he received a phone call from his wife informing him that the babysitter for their two sons fell sick. He would have to come home because the wife must leave for work within the next hour. The line is short-staffed and supervisor Mark wants Mario to complete his duties.
Grade: 10/10 (413 words)
There are numerous conflict-handling styles from many perspectives. (Hunt et al., 2010) Rahim & Bonoma explained the most recent conflict-handling type, the five theories: Competition, Accommodating, Avoiding, Compromising, and Collaborating. (Rahim, 2010) I will describe which conflict-handling styles are appropriate for each scenario.
Laura's case
Laura wanted to take a day off this week, but her supervisor wanted her to reschedule her day off because work demands would be high on the day of her request.
In this case, Competition can solve the conflict. The supervisor has the right to make her subordinates follow her orders as far as her order is reasonable from the tasks' perspective. Therefore, if Laura's day off is not requiring an emergency, Competition can solve the situation.
Aggressive teammates' case
The team leader wants two aggressive but talented employees to work together. One wants to be admired, and the other wants to realize his ideas.
I think Accommodation is proper in this case. Although the two employees' characteristics are aggressive, their interests are different. Their aggressiveness can be ignored, and it will not cause significant problems.
Picnic planning case
Two subgroups want to work together. Both teams have different types of ideas, and the teams have a desire to work together.
They can Collaborate on picnic planning. Moreover, two group's differences can invent new ideas that are superior to original ideas.
collaboration
The rumor's case
Mary and Alyssa argued about the lies about Mary's love life, which Alyssa was spreading, and coworker Latisha witnessed the entire argument. In this case,
Avoidance is the most appropriate way to solve the conflict. The argument's theme is not related to their tasks, so other handling solutions can not solve them. Mary and Alyssa's conflict will not be solved by Avoidance. However, other people should pretend there is no problem and keep a distance from the situation.
Mario's case
Mario is a front-line employee, and the line he is working at is short-staffed. When Mario needed to leave work early, his supervisor wanted to prevent his leaving.
I want to choose Compromise to solve this problem. Mario's two children are sick, but his wife had to work, so he is the only person to look after his children. He had no choice but to go home. Other team members will be busy due to his leave. However, it is not a big deal. Including me, sometimes, all employees experienced a busy day. Also, if other employees know Mario's situation, they can understand it.
References
Hunt, J., Osborn, R., Schermerhorn, J. & Uhl-Bien, M (2010) Organizational Behavior, 11th Edition. New York: John Wiley and Sons.
Rahim, M. A. (2010). Managing conflict in organizations. ProQuest Ebook Central, Retrieved from https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/univ-people-ebooks/reader.action?docID=4926100&ppg=95
