5. Part 2: Conflict management - For workplace purposes

In the previous article, the concept of conflict management was addressed. The different styles of handling conflict and the situations in which the styles should and shouldn't be used were also communicated.

Now, let's find out which conflict-handling style we are most dominant in, and how less dominant we are on the other styles; so that we can work on ensuring that we use the correct style in the correct situation:

Below is a multiple choice exercise that was provided at the workshop. We have to imagine ourselves in the situations presented and choose what we would do in the given situation. Some situations are repeated but let's not cheat! (Lol!). And let's be honest! :D

This can be printed out. Alternatively we can write the numbers 1-30, and next to them write our option: A/ B.

Here we go!!

1	A.      There are times when I let others take responsibility for solving the problem. B.      Rather than negotiate the things on which we agree on, I try to stress those things we both agree on.
2	A.      I try to find compromise. B.      I try to deal with the other person’s and my own concerns.
3	A.      I am usually firm in pursuing my goals. B.      I might try to soothe the other person’s feelings and preserve our relationship.
4	A.      I try to find compromise. B.      I sometimes sacrifice my own issues for the wishes of the other person.
5	A.      I consistently seek another person’s help in working out a solution. B.      I try to do what is necessary to avoid useless tension.
6	A.      I try to void creating unpleasantness for myself. B.      I try to win my position
7	A.      I try to postpone the issue until I have had some time to think it over. B.      I give up some points in exchange for others
8	A.      I am usually firm in pursuing my goals. B.      I attempt to get all concerns and issues immediately out in the open.
9	A.      I feel that differences are not always worth worrying about. B.      I make some effort to get my way.
10	A.      I am firm in pursuing my goals B.      I try to find a compromise solution.
11	A.      I attempt to get all concerns and issues out into the open. B.    I might try to soothe the other person’s feelings and preserve our relationship.
12	A.      I sometimes avoid taking positions that would create controversy. B.      I would let others have some positions if I am allowed to have some of mine.
13	A.      I propose a middle ground B.      I press to get my points made.
14	A.      I tell others my ideas and ask them for theirs. B.      I try to show others the logic and benefit of my position.
15	A.      I might try to soothe the other person’s feelings and preserve our relationship. B.      I try to do what is necessary to avoid tension.
16	A.      I try to not hurt the other person’s feelings. B.      I try to convince the other person the merits of my position.
17	A.     I am usually firm in pursuing my goals B.     I try to do what is necessary to avoid tension.
18	A.      If it makes the other person happy, I might allow them to maintain their views. B.      I will let others have some of their positions if they will let me have some of mine.
19	A.      I attempt to get all concerns and issues immediately out in the open. B.      I try to postpone the issues until I have time to think it over.
20	A.      I attempt to immediately work through our differences. B.      I try to find a fair combination of gains and losses for both of us.
21	A.      In approaching negotiations, I try to be considerate of the other person’s wishes. B.      I always lean towards a direct discussion of the problem.
22	A.      I try to find a position that is intermediate between the other person’s and my own. B.      I assert my wishes.
23	A.      I am very often concerned with satisfying all our wishes. B.      There are times when I let others take responsibility for resolving the problem.
24	A.      If the other person’s position seems very important to him/her, I would try to meet his/her wishes. B.      I try to get him/her to settle for a compromise.
25	A.      I try to show other people the logic and benefits of my position. B.      In approaching negotiations, I try to be considerate of the other person’s wishes.
26	A.      I propose a middle ground B.      I am nearly always concerned with satisfying all our wishes.
27	A.      I sometimes avoid taking positions that would create controversy. B.     If it makes the other person happy, I might allow him/her to maintain his/her views.
28	A.       I am usually firm in pursuing my goals B.       I usually seek the other person’s help in working out a solution.
29	A.      I propose a middle ground. B.      I feel that differences are not always worth worrying about.
30	A.      I try not to hurt the other person’s feelings. B.      I always share my problem with the other person so we can work it out.

Done? Well the next step is to show our answers on the sheet below by circling the option we chose for each situation. When we're done,we must add up the number of letters we circled and write the total at the end of the corresponding columns. The sheet is below, and an example is shown below the sheet:

	Compete	Collaborate	Compromise	Avoid	Accommodate
1				A	B
2		B	A
3	A				B
4			A		B
5		A		B
6	B			A
7			B	A
8	A	B
9	B			A
10	A		B
11		A			B
12			B	A
13	B		A
14	B	A
15				B	A
16	B				A
17	A			B
18			B		A
19		A		B
20		A	B
21		B			A
22	B		A
23		A		B
24			B		A
25	A				B
26		B	A
27				A	B
28	A	B
29			A	B
30		B			A

 The example:

 So, how did you find it? Did you find which style of conflict you're most dominant in? Any style you need to work on?...

Now, let's check out the process for resolving issues and skills for managing conflict :) ...