COIT20249 - ICT Portfolio: Reflective Writing on Workplace Conflict

This portfolio entry provides a reflective account of a negative workplace conflict experience encountered by a quality assurance manager in the ICT sector. The reflection details a situation where the manager addressed a violation of protocol by communicating directly with the CEO and team members, leading to a confrontation with the project manager. The author analyzes the situation, emphasizing the importance of gathering data, identifying root causes, and effectively communicating solutions. Key learnings include the need for honesty, integrity, and the ability to navigate disagreements constructively while maintaining focus on project goals. The reflection also highlights the importance of leadership potential and the ability to find less confrontational solutions to workplace conflicts, supported by references to relevant academic literature on conflict management and workplace dynamics.

Running head: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY
Professional skills for Information and Communication Technology
Name of the student:
Name of the university:
Author Note

1INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY
Portfolio 2: Reflective Writing on negative experience about conflict workplace
in the past:
I have worked as a quality assurance manager. My job was to assure that every project
guidelines are followed and product specifications are met. It was my responsibility to make
communication with CEO, project managers and team members. As the project guidelines were
ignored or missed or project phases never met specifications I had to undergo negative through
negative experience.
At one particular event, there was a blatant violation of protocol. I took that upon my
shoulder to communicate my findings directly to CEO. Taking his permission I also contacted with
various team members directly to remedy those situation. As the project manager came to know
about what have happened he got upset. I called me in this room and confronted me for superceding
the authority. Them I was honest and direct towards my response to the affront. There, I made him
understand that I has been the best project managers which whom I have worked. However, he had
the tendency of ignoring guidelines of quality assurance. Surprisingly, he apologized and revealed
that he has appreciated my integrity and candor.
The main thing I have learnt from the case that disagreements are always there while
working in teams. It is regardless of what the team members have been disagreeing about. It must be
reminded that every people are liable to execute their duties. Further the project goals must be
achieved whatever is the situation. The project leaders have been assigned with vital responsibilities.
The managers have been relying on them to ensure work that is done on time with quality standards
that is adhered to. Further it is the duty of job candidates to provide answers demonstrating maturity
and competency.

2INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY
In order to handle and resolve this kind of situations, while managing group projects I have
analyzed many things. Data and relevant facts must be gathered. The root causes must be
determined, situations must be developed presenting as suggestions and team members must be
effectively communicated. Team members must always be helped to see whether the solution I felt
has been self evident. This must be done without forcing that solution upon them.
The positive side that I have learnt is that while answering questions, honest answers with
specific examples must be provided. As anyone has never worked in my position like I have done,
they must never embellish the experience. People, should be honest and they should emphasize their
skills they have acquired to make an ideal manager. Further, I have learnt that employees always
look for people who have proper leadership potential.
The negative side that I have came to know that extra penance must be given to meet people
individually and collect facts. Moreover, a compromise is always needed to be done. An objective
perspective must be maintained and never involve in any conflict. Al ways a less confrontational
solution is to be found out. There should be an extra urge to showcase the ability to deal with those
conflicts productively.

3INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY
References:
Currie, D., Gormley, T., Roche, B., & Teague, P. (2017). The management of workplace conflict:
Contrasting pathways in the HRM literature. International Journal of Management Reviews,
19(4), 492-509.
Einarsen, S., Skogstad, A., Rørvik, E., Lande, Å. B., & Nielsen, M. B. (2016). Climate for conflict
management, exposure to workplace bullying and work engagement: a moderated mediation
analysis. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 1-22.
Leon-Perez, J. M., Medina, F. J., Arenas, A., & Munduate, L. (2015). The relationship between
interpersonal conflict and workplace bullying. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 30(3),
250-263.
Liu, Y., Wang, M., Chang, C. H., Shi, J., Zhou, L., & Shao, R. (2015). Work–family conflict,
emotional exhaustion, and displaced aggression toward others: The moderating roles of
workplace interpersonal conflict and perceived managerial family support. Journal of
Applied Psychology, 100(3), 793.