2. What Style Did Sims Initially Use?

2. What style did Sims initially use? If you were Sims, how would you approach Martinez in this situation? (20 points)

Conflict resolution behaviour depends largely on the given situation which could result in complete co-operation or confrontation. Two intentions determining the type of conflict handling behaviour are assertion and co-operation. Assertion refers to an attempt to confront the other party and co-operation refers to an attempt to find an agreeable solution.

(Managementguru.net, 2016)

Five types of conflict resolution behaviour as described by Thomas and Kilman are:
• Competition: This is a win lose style of handling conflicts. It is asserting ones view point at the potential expense of another. Competing or forcing has
It is based on the willingness to accept the interests of the opposing party whilst protecting one’s own interests. Disagreements are openly discussed to arrive at the best solution. The use of this method involves high co-operation and low confrontation. Collaboration is the best method of handling conflicts as it strives to satisfy the needs of both parties. It is integrative and thus has a high concern for personal objectives as well as maintaining relationships.
• Compromise: This is a common way of dealing with conflicts, particularly when the conflicting parties have equal power and mutually independent goals. It is based on the belief that middle ground should be reached to resolve the conflicting situation, with concern for personal goals as well as relationships. With compromising, conflicting parties will experience both gains and losses.
• Avoidance: This style is based on the belief that conflict is unwanted and should be delayed or ignored. Low co-operation and low confrontation are practiced using the avoidance strategy. By avoiding direct confrontation both parties will be allowed a cool down period.
• Accommodation: This style involves high co-operation and low confrontation. Accommodating can be a good strategy when one party accepts that it is wrong and consequently they are willing to accommodate the wishes of the other
I would then give him the opportunity to work with her to arrive at a suitable solution.

In using a collaboration approach, they would work together to find a win-win solution to the problem and would satisfy the needs of both parties. The win-win approach sees conflict resolution as an opportunity to come to a mutually beneficial result. In doing so, this will lead to solving the actual problem, building a good foundation for effective collaboration in the future. In addition it reinforces mutual trust and respect between the managers.

Sim’s gave the impression that she is trying to make the accounting department successful at all cost, and cared little about those around her. Linda and Martinez was on the same hierarchic level and therefore she had no right to approach him in this manner. In her approach she showed out right that she had no respect for his position as manager, which is the probable reason for his sarcastic