1) Conflict of values • Tradition vs. Originality • Loyalty vs. Honesty • Planning vs. Improvising • Stability vs. Risk-taking • Individual Focus vs. Group Focus • Competition vs. Collaboration 2) Interpersonal conflict · Amount of communication · Organization of communication · Detail in communication · Approach to deadlines · Work style
Conflict Resolution Strategies
1) Address the issue quickly 2) Use neutral words 3) Describe the positive outcome you want 4) Embrace differences of opinion 5) Focus on actionable solutions
If feelings escalate:
Take a break.
Hold out an olive branch.
Apologize for behavior without apologizing for your needs.
Let the other person save face.
Model for Resolving Conflict
1. Move to a nondefensive attitude a. Make a conscious choice to be open minded and acknowledge there are different perspectives b. Think about how your style responds to conflict c. Remember your perception of the situation is probably different than how the other person is perceiving the problem d. Think about how your body is responding to conflict e. You can choose how you respond to conflict
2. Listen to each other’s current positions a. You are just identifying current positions, not discussing or evaluating b. Don’t start to judge yet! c. Get to know each other and understand each other’s values and motives d. One person shares and then the other person restates what they heard
3. Temporarily suspend each position and state the problem in terms of interests and needs underlying these positions
You should all follow the standard brainstorming rules:
Postpone and withhold your judgment of ideas
Encourage wild and exaggerated ideas
Quantity counts at this stage, not quality
Build on the ideas put forward by others
Every person and every idea has equal worth
Ideally you will have a brief warm-up on a totally unrelated and fun topic. This will get your creative juices going and help establish a less restrictive mood. You should start the main topic when the right mood is established.
7. Devise a plan for implementation and evaluation a. Create plan together b. Write it down c. Have each party sign it or in some way officially agree to the situation d. Assign follow-ups e. Agree how you will track progress
Cite Notes from a taken Emcor online course. “Resolving Conflict” Attended 15 Apr 2020.