Conflict Resolution Strategies for Workplace Situations

Task: Analyze certain situations of conflict and come up with a solution.
Presentation: Submission in a word document. Include appropriate headings; font
Arial 11.
Assessment Item 2 Written assessment
The task:
Below you will find 4 situations of conflict. Analyse each situation and come up with a
solution. At the end of the description of each situation there are some additional questions
or statements that provide you with some hints what you should address in your answer. In
your answer refer to concepts (from the textbook) as appropriate and also critically reflect on
the concept(s) you have utilised. Insert your answer right after the additional questions or
statements by expanding the space. Your answer to each of the 4 situations should be about
800-1000 words.
1. Developing Self-Awareness (Chapter 1)
You are a sales manager in the Northwestern division of a large clothing manufacturing company.
Recently, you and some other managers in your division attended the yearly national sales
meeting in Chicago. Just now one of the other managers who attended the conference has come
into your office. He says, “While I was at the conference, I took out some friends of mine in
Chicago to dinner at an expensive restaurant, and charged it to my expense account. I said they
were potential clients. Now my boss is questioning that. He says he wants proof. Would you write
him a note saying you were there and that they were really potential clients?” What will you do?
How will you do it? Why?
Aspects that should be addressed / included in your answer:
Identification of personal stage of moral development, explanations of how stage is likely to
influence behavior, identification of own interpersonal orientation, explanation of how
orientation is likely to affect what one is likely to do.
Identification of the Problem
The case here is extremely tricky, as it demands the sales manager to ascertain the situation
keeping in mind his own ethical grounds, moral compass and interpersonal relationship with
the other sales manager.
Analysis of the Problem
In no context, had I been the sales manager, I would have gone forward with the lie which
the other manager spoke unabashedly to his boss. According to my ethics and my
upbringing, this is something non-negotiable, and neither do I indulge in such wrong doings,
nor do I entertain such requests. In order to better understand the situation and my rationale
for not going forward with the lie, can be understood by seeing the personal stage of moral
development.
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Relevant Theories and Models
Stages of Moral Development
Level 1- Pre-conventional Morality
Here the authority lies outside of the individual and the reasoning of the individual is based
on the physical consequences of the actions.
Stage 1: Obedience and Punishment Orientation-Here the understanding a child
develops is that if he is not being punished, he is good and vice-versa. Thus, I have always
maintained this image, and have always avoided doing things which would lead me to
troubles(Kay, 2017).
Stage 2: Individualism and Exchange-Here the child realizes that different individuals are
entitled to different opinions. The implication here is that, for me lying to boss and cheating
by manipulating the bills is most definitely wrong, but it might sound right to some other
person(Lind, 2017),
Level 2: Conventional Morality- In this stage, authority is internalized but it is not
questioned, the reasoning is also based on the existing norms of the group to which the
person belongs(Woolley, 2015).
Stage 3: Good Interpersonal relationships-Here the good or bad character of a person is
seen as how others perceive of him. I always remember this thing, thus try to always stay
true to myself so that the entire world sees me in the same manner(Chung & Hsu, 2017).
Stage 4-Maintaining the Social Order- In this stage the child has grown into an adult, and
he becomes aware regarding the wider rules which exist in different sections of the society.
Here, I learnt to obey the rules, respect the law and avoid the guilt of doing something
wrong.
Level 3: Post Conventional Morality-Here the Judgment of the person is solely based on
his chosen principles, while moral reasoning is based on the rights and justice of the
individual. The learning here is that majority of the people still take decision based on the
people around them, it is only a few who can abide by their moral principles. I am one of the
person, who always values situation in accordance to moral and ethical high being, and
really do not care what others are doing around me.
Stage 5: Social Contract and Individual Rights- In this stage, a human realizes that while
utilitarianism theory, which states doing the greatest good for greatest number of people
might exist, but there will be times when they have to work against particular individuals. In
this case especially, my action can be seen as going against the other manager, but in my
ethical views, it is appropriate and would prevent him from doing any such wrong doings in
the future.
Stage 6: Universal Principles-This is the stage where an individual has created, developed
and decided on his own set of moral guidelines which may or may not fit within the law. I
have built my own principles revolving around, justice, equality, human rights and integrity.
These are the principles which guide my conduct in professional and personal life(Kay,
2017).
Solutions
Thus, my bringing up happened in the similar stages of moral development. My family and
surroundings always showed me the right path and advised me to always think about the
consequences before taking a decision. Thus, I always evaluate my decision on the basis of
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the consequences, and if it does no harm to anyone and is right ethically, I go with it. In this
case, I denied helping the manager, because the consequence of it could have resulted in
losing my image in front of my boss. It could have also put me in jeopardy as I was
supporting a wrong cause, additionally it would have given wings to the wrong doing of the
colleagues and he would have not learnt his lesson. My reasoning is that for the
organization, we also have certain duties and responsibilities towards them, which should be
done without any objection. My duty for the organization is to follow the principles of integrity
and ethics, and report it to the management or the line manager if I see someone indulging
in unethical practices.
2. Solving Problems Analytically and Creatively (Chapter 3)
You are working in a lower-level managerial position in a Boise firm. Your boss stops by to visit
you one day, and says “I have got this problem with my boss. She is new to the firm, and seems
to be taking pleasure in turning everything upside down. She has instituted new reporting
procedures, new meeting schedules, new budgeting process, new everything! Now, I have been
here far 15 years, and the old system makes sense to me. I have tried to be diplomatic by holding
my peace, but I do not see any reason to change. If you ask me, I think she is one of those
libbers, out to show her power.” What will you do? How will you do it? Why?
Aspects that should be addressed / included in your answer:
Identification of possible blocks to creativity, identification of a creative analogy, bringing
back analogy to provide a creative solution or new viewpoint.
Problem Identification
The problem discussed in the case above is very common, and has been surfacing in almost
all the industries for quite some time. People, who have been working in the industry for a
long time, quite often feel resistive towards any change coming their way. They are
extremely comfortable in their own ways of working, that they see any change as a potential
threat to their existing position.
Analysis of the Problems
They completely fail to understand that globalization, tech innovation and evolution has
given birth to creativity and innovation, and it would be extremely imbecile if the person does
not see this creativity and innovation as an opportunity to learn and develop new skills and
remain competent. My advice to my Boss will be based on the Blocks of creativity, by this I
would explain him to engage in blockbusting and not be a block to creativity.
Relevant Theories and Models
Blocks of Creativity
Environmental Blocks-Environment can be both obstructive and supportive in this case;
obstructive environment for instance can be following the dress code in office, neat and tidy
workplaces and many more. These elements are good, but it does restrain creativity in the
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