CLASS NOTES

Chapter 9: Managing Conflicts Productively

 

I.                     Case Study: The Cask and Cleaver Work Crew

a.      How would you handle this situation?

 

II.                   What is conflict?

a.      Conflict defined:

 

III.                  Myths about Conflict

a.      Conflict is…

                                                              i.      Truth:

 

b.      Conflict represents…

                                                              i.      Truth:

 

c.      Conflicts can be resolved…

                                                              i.      Truth:

 

IV.               Types of Conflict

a.      Substantive Conflict

                                                              i.      Substantive Conflict defined:

b.      Affective Conflict

                                                              i.      Affective Conflict defined:

c.      Procedural Conflict

                                                              i.      Procedural Conflict defined:

V.                 Computer-Mediated Communication and Conflict Types

a.      Managing Conflict in the group

                                                              i.      Conflict-Management Styles

1.      Avoidance—

 

2.      Accommodation—

 

3.      Competition—

 

4.      Collaboration—

 

5.      Compromise—

 

b.      Expressing Disagreement Ethically

                                                              i.      Express

 

                                                            ii.      Express

 

                                                          iii.      Express

 

                                                           iv.      React

 

 

c.      Maximizing Your Chances to Influence the Group

                                                              i.      Make sure your arguments are…

                                                            ii.      Make sure your arguments…

                                                          iii.      If you are a member of a subgroup, make sure…

d.      The Nominal Group Technique

                                                              i.      Technique described:

 

                                                            ii.      NGT Steps include:

1.      The problem, situation, or question is stated clearly and concisely

2.      The coordinator asks participants to generate a list of the features or characteristics of the problem or question

3.      The coordinator gives the group 5-15 minutes to work silently

4.      Each suggestion is listed and recorded in round-robin fashion on a chart visible to all members

5.      Members clarify the items but do not yet evaluate them

6.      Each person chooses his or her top-ranked items

7.      The group engages in full discussion of the top-rated items

8.      A decision is reached

e.      Principled Negotiation

                                                              i.      PN described:

 

                                                            ii.      Steps include:

1.      Separate the people from the problem

2.      Focus on interests, not positions

3.      Invent new options for mutual gain

4.      Insists on using objective criteria

a.      What do each of the above steps mean?