Sunday, June 25, 2023

Discussion 7A: Five (5) Interpersonal conflict management strategies

 Looking at the Five (5) Interpersonal Conflict Management Strategies, discuss and identify the following aspects for each of them: 

1.)   Strengths

2.)   Limitations and/or Weaknesses

3.)   Best Used Situations @ the Workplace

Conflict is a persistent part of organizational life. However, according to William James, when conflict is approached constructively in the epigraph, it can also be advantageous. (Kay, A. A., & Skarlicki, D. P., 2020).

            1.)   Accommodating

This style turns your back on your own needs in exchange for those of others. One would be putting the concerns of others before your own. This style is very me as suggested by McClelland’s acquired needs framework, the need for Affiliation.

A collaborative style of managing conflict refers to a high level of concern for both one’s concerns and those of the other party. (Kay, A. A., & Skarlicki, D. P., 2020)

Strengths

·       Demonstrates mutual respect for your team members’ needs

·       Establishes a good working environment and camaraderie

·       Trust and teamwork

Limitations and/or Weaknesses

·       Exploitation if the other party involve always accommodates and doesn’t have the gull of reciprocation

·       No growth as people will always rely on the person who is always accommodating

Best used situations @ the Workplace

·       Useful when the issue is more important to the other person, maintaining a good relationship, or when you have less expertise in the conflict. It can be appropriate for non-critical decisions

2.)   Avoiding

This style completely evades the conflict. You would neither chase your views nor those of the other people involved. You will constantly push back or entirely ignore the clash whenever it comes up.

This style could be assumed to use when the conflict seems minor, you don’t have the time, you need more time to think, you feel as though you have no chance of winning, or you’re afraid of being met with hatred.

While avoiding conflict can be effective in some sense, it can be highly problematic as a general style of conflict. Without hawking with the essential concerns, the disputing parties are unable to exchange information and find equally acceptable resolutions. (Kay, A. A., & Skarlicki, D. P., 2020).

Strengths

·       Provides temporary relief and prevents immediate escalation

·       Can create a prospect for sentiments to calm down

·       Suitable for minor issues or when immediate action isn’t essential

Limitations and/or Weakness

·       No conflict has been resolved or the underlying concerns are not discussed

·       May lead to periodical conflict (Kay, A. A., & Skarlicki, D. P., 2020)

·       can hinder efficiency or damage relationships within the team

·       “Lose-lose” approach to managing conflict (Kay, A. A., & Skarlicki, D. P., 2020)

Best Used Situations @ the Workplace

·       This is suitable for minor conflicts that are unlikely to escalate, issues that may resolve themselves over time or when emotions are running high and need time to settle

3.)   Compromising

A compromising style attempts to find a solution that will partially please all parties involved. You would work to find a middle ground between all the needs, which would typically leave people discontented or only satisfied to a certain extent. This style could be appropriate when it’s more important to solve for the solution to be great or you just need a temporary solution for the moment.

Compromising includes focusing on the parallels between the two groups by overlooking alterations, vents thoughts that agree and yield to make the other party happy.   (BaAoAul, C., 2021).

Strengths

·       Allows for a middle-ground solution that partially satisfies each party

·       Demonstrates a willingness to reach a resolution and maintain relationships

Limitations and/or Weakness

·       May not fully address the underlying concerns of either party

·       Can lead to resentment and/or dissatisfaction

·       Requires a willingness to make yielding and find common ground

Best Used Situations @ the Workplace

·       It can be suitable for decisions about resource allocation, schedule adjustments, or choosing between two viable options

4.)   Collaborating

A collaborating style attempts to find a solution that will meet the needs of all parties’ concerns. Rather than trying to find a middle-ground solution, you would aim for a solution that satisfies everyone and ends up being a win-win situation. This style could be appropriate when multiple perspectives need to be addressed, there is an important relationship between the parties, and the final solution is too important for anyone to be displeased.

Strengths

·       Encourages open communications and active listening

·       Fosters creativity and innovation through diverse perspectives

·       Builds trust and strengthens relationships

Limitations and/or Weaknesses

·       Time-consuming process, requires thorough discussions

·       May not be suitable for demanding issues

·       Requires willingness to cooperate and find a mutually beneficial solution

Best Used Situations @ the Workplace

·       Collaboration works well when there is a need for a long-term resolution, complex issues, or situations where multiple perspectives and expertise are valuable such as team development/team conflict

 5.)   Competing

A competing style takes a firm stand and refuses to see the other parties’ perspective. You would keep insisting your stance or rejecting other ideas. This style could be appropriate when you must stand up for your rights or morals, need to make a quick decision and force others to get on board, need to end a long-term conflict, or must prevent a terrible, opposing decision.

Competing style is a hostile and stubborn approach based on the power that one imposes one’s will on others. (Alan, H., Gül, D., & Baykal, Ü., 2022)

            Strengths

·       Quick decision-making and action

·       Suitable for situations requiring strong leadership

·       Can establish clear boundaries and assert one’s rights

Limitations and/or Weaknesses

·       Damage trust and strain relationships

·       May not foster collaboration

·       Can lead to win-lose outcomes and long-term negative consequences 

Best Used Situations @ the Workplace

·       Competition is appropriate for urgent situations, when unpopular decisions need to be made, or when maintaining authority. It can be useful in situations where immediate action is necessary or when there is a need for a clear direction and accountability           

Reference

Kay, A. A., & Skarlicki, D. P. (2020). Cultivating a conflict-positive workplace: How mindfulness facilitates constructive conflict management. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 159, 8–20, p. 9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.obhdp.2020.02.005

Kay, A. A., & Skarlicki, D. P. (2020). Cultivating a conflict-positive workplace: How mindfulness facilitates constructive conflict management. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 159, 8–20, p. 8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.obhdp.2020.02.005

Kay, A. A., & Skarlicki, D. P. (2020). Cultivating a conflict-positive workplace: How mindfulness facilitates constructive conflict management. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 159, 8–20, p. 8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.obhdp.2020.02.005

Kay, A. A., & Skarlicki, D. P. (2020). Cultivating a conflict-positive workplace: How mindfulness facilitates constructive conflict management. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 159, 8–20, p. 9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.obhdp.2020.02.005

Kay, A. A., & Skarlicki, D. P. (2020). Cultivating a conflict-positive workplace: How mindfulness facilitates constructive conflict management. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 159, 8–20, p. 9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.obhdp.2020.02.005

BaAoAul, C. (2021). Conflict management and teamwork in workplace from the perspective of nurses. Perspectives in Psychiatric Care, 57(2), p. 612,  https://doi.org/10.1111/ppc.12584

Alan, H., Gül, D., & Baykal, Ü. (2022). The relationship between the conflict management strategies and ethical leadership behaviours of nurse managers perceived by nurses. Journal of Nursing Management, 30(7), p. 2372, https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.13840

 

 

 

 

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A Son Never Forgets

Before moving to Australia in 2014, I spent a decade working in the Middle East, from 2004 to 2014. I held the position of Lead Power Contro...