Conflict and negotiation for leaders
Assignments
1. Written Assignment (Case):
Caught in a Squeeze
Heather Lopez is a product development specialist at a telecommunications company. For the past seven years she has worked as a member of a product development team composed of people from five different departments within the company. Heather previously worked full time In the marketing department. Her primary responsibilities were to research the market potential of an idea for a new product. The product development team is now working on a product that will integrate a companys printers and copiers.
Heathers previous position in the marketing department was a satisfactory fit for her lifestyle. Heather thought she was able to take care of her family responsibilities and her job without sacrificing one for the other. As Heather explains, I worked about 45 predictable hours in my other job. My hours were essentially 8:30 am to 4:30 pm with a little work at night and on Saturdays at home.
Brad, my husband, and I had a smooth-working arrangement for sharing the responibility for getting our son, Christopher off the school and picking him up from the after-school child-care center. Brad is a devoted accountant, so he understands the importance of giving high priority to a career yet still being a good family person.
In her new position as a member of the product development team, Heather is encountering some unanticipated demands. Three weeks ago, at 3pm on a Tuesday, Tyler Watson, Heathers team leader, anounced an emergency meeting to discuss a budget problem with the new product. The meeting would start at 4 and probably end at 6:30. Dont worry, folks, said the team leader, if it looks like we are going past 6:30, we will order some Chinese food.
With a look of panic on her face Heather responded to Tyler. I cant make the meeting. Christopher will be expecting me at about 5 at the child care center. My husband is out of town and the center closes at 6 sharp. So count me out of todays meeting.
Tyler said, I said that this is an emergency meeting and we need input from all members. You need to organize your personal life better to be a contributing member of this team. But do what you have to at least his once.
Heather chose to leave the office at 4:30 pm so she could pick up Christopher. The next day Tyler did not comment on her absence. However, he gave her a copy of the minutes and asked for her input. The budget problem surfaced again one week later. Top-level management asked the group to reduce the cost of the new productand its initial marketing costs by 15 percent.
Tyler said to the tteam on Friday morning, We have until Monday morning to arrive at a reduced cost structure on our product development. I am divding up the project into segments. If we meet as a team Saturday morning at 8, we should get the job done by 6 in the evening. Get a good nights rest so we can start fresh tomorrow morning. Breakfast and lunch will be on the company.
Heather could feel stress overwhelming her body as she thought to herself, Christopher is playing in the finals of his little league tomorrow moring at 10. Brad has made dinner reservations for 6, so we can make it to The Lion King at 8 pm. Should I tell Tyler he is beingunreasonable? Should I quit? Should I tell Christopher and Brad that our special occasion is less important than a Saturday business meeting?
Respond to the following 3 questions in detail:
What type of conflict is heather facing?
What should heather do to resolve her conflict with respect to family and work responsibilities?
What might the company do to help deal with the type of conflict Heather is facing? Or should the company not consider Heathers dilemma to be their problem?
Source: Andrew J DuBrin, Human Relations for Career and Personal Success, 8th edition Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, New jersey, 2008
2. Reflection/Analysis Journal:
1. With whom are you currently experiencing differences at work? (Police officer)
Boss/upper management
Peers
Direct reports
2. Describe the conflict.
3. Use the following form to outline your thoughts:
Assume the other person means well (Identify positive intention)
Express your feelings (Verify positive intentions and state your concerns)
4. The Collaboration — or Win/Win Management model is considered the ideal method of handling conflicts. There are times when other methods night be more appropriate. Identify a time when it would be better to use one of the following models:
Accommodate (LOSE/WIN)
Compete WIN/LOSE)
Avoid (LOSE/LOSE)
Compromise (WIN/LOSE-WIN/LOSE)
Two pages APA.
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