conflict resolution
CONFLICT RESOLUTION
Conflict in any organization and for that matter the public school system is inevitable. Public school system seems to encourage and respect differing viewpoints of teachers, staff and parents and this invariably produces a fertile ground for conflict to occur. Usually, conflict erupts between people due to different values, personalities, opinions, goals, and needs (Egeland,2013).
However, conflict is not always a bad thing. Healthy organizations which are characterized by well developed problem -solving mechanisms and a collaborative climate are able to identify conflict and deal with it in a collaborative way that leaves the organization stronger and better developed rather than weakened and wracked with hostility
(Owens, Valesky, 2011).
The potential conflict in this elementary school can be approached with five possible methods namely: muscle, reconciliation, harmony, retreat, and collaboration. The muscle method is assertive, aggressive, and competitive. This style creates win-lose situation. This is termed as
“ I am the boss. Just do it!”. The reconciliation method is one of accommodating, giving in and acquiescing to preserve relationships while resolving the conflict, at least temporarily. The harmony style assumes a “middle ground,” aimed at achieving compromise in order to resolve conflict. On the other hand, retreat method avoids or withdraws in from the conflict. It is aimed at not becoming involved with conflict and the strong feelings it may generate. The collaborating approach attempts to reach consensus and stresses working together for a mutual solution to conflicts. (Owens, valesky,2011).
In order to manage the conflict in this elementary school and the community in question, the collaborative method seems in my opinion the most attractive approach in order to lessen the destructive hostility among the staff and all parties t and to pave the way for opportunities of growth and development of the school and the
Conflict in any organization and for that matter the public school system is inevitable. Public school system seems to encourage and respect differing viewpoints of teachers, staff and parents and this invariably produces a fertile ground for conflict to occur. Usually, conflict erupts between people due to different values, personalities, opinions, goals, and needs (Egeland,2013).
However, conflict is not always a bad thing. Healthy organizations which are characterized by well developed problem -solving mechanisms and a collaborative climate are able to identify conflict and deal with it in a collaborative way that leaves the organization stronger and better developed rather than weakened and wracked with hostility
(Owens, Valesky, 2011).
The potential conflict in this elementary school can be approached with five possible methods namely: muscle, reconciliation, harmony, retreat, and collaboration. The muscle method is assertive, aggressive, and competitive. This style creates win-lose situation. This is termed as
“ I am the boss. Just do it!”. The reconciliation method is one of accommodating, giving in and acquiescing to preserve relationships while resolving the conflict, at least temporarily. The harmony style assumes a “middle ground,” aimed at achieving compromise in order to resolve conflict. On the other hand, retreat method avoids or withdraws in from the conflict. It is aimed at not becoming involved with conflict and the strong feelings it may generate. The collaborating approach attempts to reach consensus and stresses working together for a mutual solution to conflicts. (Owens, valesky,2011).
In order to manage the conflict in this elementary school and the community in question, the collaborative method seems in my opinion the most attractive approach in order to lessen the destructive hostility among the staff and all parties t and to pave the way for opportunities of growth and development of the school and the
References: Egeland. B. (2013). How to manage Employee conflicts in a small business Owens, R.E., Valesky, T.C (2011) Organization behavior in Education: Leadership and school reform. (11th ed). pages 335-338 Seyfarth, J.T.(2007) . Human Resources leadership for effective schools