Although conflict is a normal part of every workplace, if unresolved, it can create hard feelings and

Question:

Although conflict is a normal part of every workplace, if unresolved, it can create hard feelings and reduce productivity.

Your Task.

Analyze the following scenarios. In teams, discuss each scenario and apply the six-step procedure for dealing with conflict outlined in Figure 11.6. Choose two of the scenarios to role-play, with two of your team members taking roles.

a. During an important meeting, several agenda items require actions that are crucial to the success of a current project. They require that key decisions be made—fast! As usual, John is telling entertaining anecdotes without regard for the meeting’s urgency. Jill is becoming impatient and irritated. She doesn’t understand why the other meeting participants, and the boss in particular, don’t stop John’s antics.

b. Kacey, an accountant, cannot complete her report until Rashawn, a salesperson, provides her with all the necessary numbers and documentation. Kacey thinks that Rashawn is a procrastinator who forces her to deliver a rush job, thus causing her great stress and increasing the likelihood of error. Rashawn believes that Kacey is exerting pressure on both of them and setting unrealistic deadlines. As the conflict intensifies, productivity decreases.

c. A company policy manual is posted and updated on the company intranet. Employees must sign that they have read and understand the manual. A conflict arises when team member Alvaro insists that employees should sign electronically. Fellow team member Hallie thinks that a paper form should be signed by employees so that better records may be kept.

d. The author of a lengthy report refuses to collaborate with a colleague on future projects because she believes that her colleague’s review of her document was superficial, short, and essentially useless. The report author is angry at the lack of attention her 25-page report received.

e. A manager and her assistant plan to attend a conference together at a resort location. Six weeks before the conference, the company announces a cutback and limits conference attendance to one person. The assistant, who has developed a presentation specifically for the conference, feels that he should be the one to attend. Travel arrangements must be made immediately.

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