Conflict styles and conflict resolution

Solution Preview

Let's take a closer look at these two interesting discussion questions.

RESPONSE:

1. What are the various conflict styles? Give an example of when each would be an appropriate choice to conflict resolution.

There are five conflict styles based on how important goals and relationships are to the conflicting parties (low, medium, or high importance for both factors) including:

(1) Withdrawing: Low Relationships, Low Coals
(2) Forcing: Low Relationships, High Goals
(3) Smoothing: High Relationships, Low Goals
(4) Confronting: High Relationships, High Goals
(5) Compromising: Medium Relationships, Medium Goals

Each conflict style has different strengths and weaknesses, and we all display all of the styles to some degree because no single style is appropriate in all circumstances. In fact, teams that are composed of members with all five conflict styles can be very effective and efficient-if they consciously tap into the strengths associated with each style. For instance, you may intend to be confronting because you want the goal achieved, and you care about the relationships. Others may perceive that you are forceful with a focus on goals and a willingness to sacrifice relationships. However, they shows that different conflicts meet different needs (http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3616/is_200407/ai_n9425833/pg_2/?tag=content;col1)
Our perspective on the conflict styles of others is based on our own style and impacts how we defined others. For example, to a person who values relationships at the expense of goals (smoothing type), almost anyone who attempts to move the process forward will seem to have a forcing style. (http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3616/is_200407/ai_n9425833/pg_2/?tag=content;col1)

Let's take a closer look at each conflict style and examples of when to use them:

1. Withdrawing: Low Relationships, Low Coals

With this style, people are willing to give up both personal goals and relationships, so they withdraw from conflict. These people are neither assertive nor cooperative. If the group allows ...