Task 11 - Conflict

Conflict in collaboration will always exist in any type of projects. Therefore it is not the issue of how to avoid conflict, but how to resolve it when it does occur. Developing a system to resolve these conflicts is a good approach to take when working as a group.

Conflicts come in two ways destructive and constructive. Destructive conflict often end with hard feelings, “co-workers avoiding one another, people taking sides and subtly or overtly harassing “the bad guy”, and lower productivity.” Constructive is what should be aim for as it turn conflict into collaboration, it improve communication, improve production and reduce absenteeism and staff turnover. [1]

When conflict arise it is best to address it as soon as possible, as the longer it is left unresolved the more complicate it is to find a solution. The conflict will grow like a type of virus, the earlier the cure the better.

Figure1 Conflict should be resolve as quickly as possible, before it brakes.

Strategies to approach conflict and turn it into a constructive conflict: firstly to recognise that when resolving it should not be a win-lose situation but instead a win-win confrontation. Both parties in conflict must understand what they really want and not simply want to win the argument. Then they could negotiate by addressing those concerns together. As Linda Gravett, PhD in SPHR concluded “You may not always get what you want, but I’ll bet that you get what you need.”[2]

Figure2 Working towards a common goal.

As a group we have not encounter destructive conflict. However we did have some minor constructive conflicts such as how task should be done, what task needs to be place on priority, etc. As these conflicts occur, as a group we sought out our common goal that leads as back to understanding our group’s objective. In this process we constantly develop informal and formal action plans to help us understand what task need to be done and by when. So therefore the outcome was a reconciliation between all the group member, it did not go according to what each group member’s wanted, however it was definitely what was needed to continue the fabrication task. As a saying in the movie Fruit Basket go “…we might not all agree, however we can meet halfway.” In our situation the conflict was positive and constructive as it addressed our problem and pushed us to better organise our fabrication processes.
___________________________
[1] Gravett, L., “Turning Conflict into Collaboration”, e-HResources.com, (2001), http://www.e-hresources.com/Articles/Oct2001.htm, viewed 3 June 2008.
[Figure1] Business Training Works, “Conflict Resolution Training”, Business Training Works, (2006), http://www.businesstrainingworks.com/Onsite%20Training%20Web/Course%20Outlines/15%20Conflict%20Resolution%20Skills%20Onsite%20Training%20Program%20Outline.html, viewed 3 June 2008.
[2] Gravett, L., Op cit.
[Figure2] Wayne County, “Why Should I Learn About Conflict Resolution”, Wayne County, http://www.waynecounty.com/coalitiontochangetheculture/learn.asp, viewed 3 June 2008.