A not-for-profi t hospice center in a small community received a generous gift from the grateful family of a patient who had died recently. Th e family asked only that the money be “put to the best use possible.” Everyone in this small facility had an opinion about the “best” use for the money. Th e administrator wanted to renovate the old, rundown headquarters. Th e fi nancial offi cer wanted to put the money in the bank “for a rainy day.” Th e chaplain wanted to add a small chapel to the building. Th e nurses wanted to create a food bank to help the poorest of their clients. Th e social workers wanted to buy a van to transport clients to health-care provider offi ces. Th e staff agreed that all the ideas had merit, that all the needs identifi ed were important ones. Unfortunately, there was enough money to meet only one of them.

Th e more the staff members discussed how to use this gift, the more insistent each group became that their idea was best. At their last meeting, it was evident that some were becoming frustrated and that others were becoming angry. It was rumored that a shouting match between the administrator and the fi nancial offi cer had occurred.

1. In your analysis of this situation, identify the sources of the confl ict that are developing in this facility.

2. What kind of leadership actions are needed to prevent the escalation of this confl ict?

3. If the confl ict does escalate, how could it be resolved?

4. Which idea do you think has the most merit? Why did you select the one you did?

5. Try role-playing a negotiation among the administrator, the fi nancial offi cer, the chaplain, a representative of the nursing staff , and a representative of the social work staff . Can you suggest a creative solution?