Question

DQ1: Many of us avoid having difficult conversations with others because they provoke feelings of conflict in us, and we are uncomfortable with that feeling. We are often also uncomfortable seeing others in conflict, and as a result, ignore situations that involve the disagreement of others. You have probably worked in a group where there was conflict, and the manager ignored it, hoping that it would “go away by itself”. What was the result of the manager being unwilling to deal with the situation? Did it go away or get bigger? And what were the feelings of the employees?

Your skill sets as a manager/leader are significantly higher, and more respected by others, if you can find ways of having conversations with others to clear the air – whether the conflict is one in which you are personally involved or where you see others involved in the conflict.

The readings this week will help to identify the five conflict management styles. Reflect on these styles to determine which style you use, what works and what could work better. In an effort to bring in some tools that will help you to identify your style, I've located the link below. It's an activity that begins on page two and discusses the findings on page three. When you have time, check it out.

Conflict Management Styles Assessment.

DQ2: Please analyze the following leadership styles. The three main leadership styles include: autocratic, democratic, or laissez-faire. How might conflict and negotiation be handled under these leadership styles? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each work environment? Identify at least one person who you feel leads under each leadership style and support your reason for your choices. Do you (or would you want to) work in an autocratic, democratic, or laissez-faire work environment?

Answer 1

DQ1

Such managers that ignore the conflicts of workers practice an avoiding conflicting strategy. Such style is appropriate only when the conflicts are of trivial nature. But ignoring those conflicts that disrupt the organizational functioning can only escalate the problems more. Such manager therefore, only contributes to enhance the conflicts as the employees are disgruntled and unsatisfied.

The five conflicting resolution styles are accommodating style, avoiding style, competing style, compromising style and collaborating style. I generally use collaborating style for conflict resolution because it provides win-win situation for all conflicting parties. Due to good listening ability, and developing an understanding of multiple perspectives, I can practice this style. My listening ability works well to practice this style. With that, my good communication skills and interpersonal skills also assist me to practice this conflict resolution style.

DQ2

Autocratic leadership style

This style of leadership reveals ordering others to follow the command. The autocratic leadership promotes one way communication and does not consider others viewpoints. Therefore, the autocratic leadership handles the conflict by implementing a competing style. The competing style of conflict resolution does not consider the viewpoints of others. Such style resent many employees but due to domineering nature of autocratic leaders, they are compelled to follow the commands.

On the other democratic leadership style considers solving the issues by adopting collaborating and compromising style. Collaborative style of conflict resolution is chosen because a person practicing democratic leadership believes in participative management practice. He involves others to make decisions. He also delegates power and promote two way communications with others. He demonstrates thus, a democratic leader practices a collaborative conflict resolution strategy.

Laissez faire leadership practices accommodating and avoidance styles. Laissez faire leaders do not communicate with others and do not take active parts to resolve conflicts due to fear or indifference. Such leaders are worst to reduce conflicts as they do not take active part in resolving employees’ issues.

Advantage and disadvantage of autocratic leadership style

Quick decision making and a high motivation to leaders are advantages of this leadership. Lack of consensus building, exploitation of workers, de-motivation of workers, and lack of leadership development opportunities are disadvantages of this leadership style.

Democratic leadership style advantage and disadvantages

Participatory approach, two way communication, involvement of all employees, high morale and motivation to them are advantages of this leadership style. Slow decision making, possibility of indiscipline, lack of accountability are disadvantages of this leadership style.

Laissez faire leadership style advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of this leadership style are empowerment to the workers to make their own decisions, utilization of their own leadership skills, and creation of an independent work environment.

The disadvantages of this leadership are reduction of cohesiveness in a team, no impact of leaders to motivate workers, role conflicts for employees, lack of team work, avoidance of leadership accountability by the leader, inflexibility towards change, and work silos.

One person that practices autocratic leadership style is always demanding and discourages two way communications. The next person that practices a democratic leadership style always seeks employees to participate in decision making and takes active parts to address the issues of employees. Another person that I know practices laissez faire leadership style as he is found aloof at workplace and does not interact with others. He does not provide guidelines to his subordinates and does not take any initiatives to resolve conflicts.

As far as my preference is concerned, I would like to work in a democratic environment and the reason is democratic environment provides opportunity to learn well by the leaders as the leaders listen to the issues of employees. Democratic work environment includes a participative management approach and thus, my viewpoints can be listened by the management. Democratic leaders practice collaborative approach to resolve the conflicts, thus, my interests can be fulfilled. These benefits of democratic work environment make it ideal to choose.