Question

Think about the sources of conflict that were identified through our class content on conflict. Choose two of those sources, and match each with what you believe is an appropriate conflict management style to utilize when resolving a conflict within that source. Defend and justify your discussion using examples.

Answer 1

1. When the source of the conflict is due to a power struggle, the conflict management style is Collaborating. Since power struggles are usually a decision-making authority between two parties. the source of conflict is when the parties involved want to have a say or have power in making the vital decisions. The best way to resolve such a conflict is collaboration. This style focuses on ensuring both parties get what they want. The parties sit and discuss the issues and then collaborate to come up with an efficiency strategy.

For example, if two parties decided to work on a project that involved the introduction of the new products to the market. The two parties have different competencies one is efficient with the supply chain and the other is efficient with the production. However, there is a conflict in making decisions at various stages of the process. In this event, if both parties adopt the collaborative approach and each party makes decisions related to the competency, it is a win-win strategy for both of them and the conflict can be resolved.

2. When the source of conflict is due to different goals and incompatibility, the best conflict management style is Compromising. When two parties or more work together and each has a different goal to accomplish through the partnership, it is not possible to satisfy every party. If one party is fully satisfied with their needs met, there is another party that is going to have a problem. Therefore, each party must make a compromise to get something out of the deal. This way, the compromising management style can resolve a conflict.

For example, three individuals Ron, Wes, and Charlotte sign a deal to work together on a product. Ron wants to use economical raw materials for designing but the other individuals want to use the highest quality which is expensive.  They disagree with each other and there is a conflict here. Now not all the goals can be achieved and they all need to make a compromise. So they can agree to make a compromise and buy something that is not very expensive and also meets a certain quality standard for manufacturing.