In
life we will some time or another engage in conflict with others. The key is to manage the situation
productively. Conflict that is managed
effectively is called productive conflict (O’Hair & Wiemann, 2012,
pp.221). It is perfectly fine to
disagree with another person because we all have our own thought process so at
times there will be some conflicts of issues.
At my current job one of the counselors seem to always bump heads with
me. We can never seem to agree with each
other on any subject matter. Something
I have learned from this week that my co-worker and I can work on is to
compromise with each other in conflictive situations. With most compromises, both sides give up a
little to gain a little (O’Hair & Wiemann, 2012, pp.241). We have to be willing to trade some of our needs
to gain interest from our counterpart. Another
great strategy to use is probing, asking questions that encourage specific and
precise answers (O’Hair & Wiemann, 2012, pp.240). In order for me to obtain information from
another individual, I must ask for it.
Whenever we make requests for information, we are using the skill of
Probing. Probing can help parties
explore the pros and cons of an issue, encouraging either side to consider both
the positive and the negative aspects of it (O’Hair & Wiemann, 2012, pp.240). This is how great feedback and constructive
criticism can be properly used.
Reference
O’Hair, D., & Wiemann, M. (2012). Real Communication. New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s.
Carlos,
ReplyDeleteWhat is going on with you and the counselor can you further explain? Since learning about conflict resolution this week have you used any of the strategies that we have learned about this week when communicating with this individual and if so has it worked or not? I like how you brought up about the topic of probing. I often see that someone who does not want to change their mind no matter what will not ask probing questions. However, someone who is interested in conflict resolution will ask those probing questions in order to find a resolution for all involved.-Jolene Hernandez-Romero
Carlos,
ReplyDeleteI admire the fact that you are able to self-reflect and recognize the need for productive conflict with your co-worker. Negativity doesn't resolve matters-it just makes them worse. Understanding the need for there to be a mutual resolve further encourages a professional atmosphere as well as an amicable relationship.
Carlos,
ReplyDeleteSometimes in the workplace people can feel threatened for some reason or another but it is our duty to put them at ease. Probing is a good technique to use because you are actually investigating why someone behaves a certain way and what are the contributing factors. Most jobs can be a gossip jungle so this particular person that you have conflict with may not actually know you but they are constructing their thoughts on some other person's view of you which is not fair. You are correct in saying that negativity does not solve conflicts.
Carlos,
ReplyDeleteYou make some great points when it comes to probing you are correct in that you must ask probing questions to encourage specific and precise answers. It is important that you do not make someone feel as if you are attacking them but relay that you are being encouraging and mindful of their specific situation.