MBA506: Conflict Management Analysis and Evaluation of CNN Interview

This report analyzes a CNN interview transcript, focusing on conflict management techniques employed by participants Reza Aslan, Alisyn Camerota, and Don Lemon. The analysis begins with an examination of each participant's initial purpose, determining whether their approach was more likely to cause or manage conflict. It then delves into the narratives presented, identifying instances of opinion-based arguments and potential threats. The core of the report evaluates each participant's conflict management skills, suggesting alternative strategies for more effective communication and resolution. The evaluation considers aspects such as active listening, communication techniques, and the use of different conflict-responding methods like collaboration and compromise. The report concludes with recommendations for improving conflict management in similar scenarios, emphasizing the importance of fact-based arguments, respect for differing viewpoints, and constructive communication.

1Running head: CONFLICT MANAGEMENT
Conflict Management

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Table of Contents
Transcript Analysis..........................................................................................................................3
Written Transcript of the Interview.............................................................................................3
The Purpose of the Participants in the Interview on the Grounds of Causing or Managing
Conflict....................................................................................................................................3
The Stories the Participants Shared in the Interview...............................................................4
Instances Where the Participants Were Relying on Opinions Rather Than Facts...................5
Conflict Management Evaluation....................................................................................................5
Introduction..................................................................................................................................5
Conflict Management Evaluation................................................................................................6
The woman-anchor Alisyn Camerota..........................................................................................7
The Man-Anchor Lemon.............................................................................................................8
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................10
References......................................................................................................................................11

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Transcript Analysis
Written Transcript of the Interview
The Purpose of the Participants in the Interview on the Grounds of Causing or Managing
Conflict
The participants at the beginning of the interview were two CCN news reporters along with the
guest, Reza Aslan, who was a professor in California. At the start, it can be analysed from the
video that the purpose of news reporters, Alisyn Camerota and Don Lemon was to cause conflict.
On the other hand, Reza Aslan was more focused on managing the conflicts that emerged during
the interview.
Don Lemon highlighted a video of Bill Maher during the interview, where he mentioned nasty
comments regarding the Islam religion. His purpose seemed not to be causing any conflict but to
highlight the issue. On the contrary, the purpose also focused on portraying the viewpoints of
Professor Reza Aslan with respect to Islam not being the cause of violence, rather it is due to the
actions taken by the Muslim people. Professor Reza Aslan with his description wants to clarify
that because of certain violent Muslim people, the entire religion cannot be blamed for their
wrongdoings. Thus, here Professor’s purpose is to manage the conflict, as he further showcases
various facts and evidence to justify Muslim countries.
Alisyn Camerota is likely to raise conflicts because only after listening to the starting point of the
Professor, she intervenes and states all the negative comments against the Muslim countries such
as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). However, Professor Reza Aslan to oppose the facts of the
Alisyn Camerota and stated that it is an African problem. However, the way Alisyn Camerota cut
the conversation in between can cause conflict. On the other hand, Don Lemon is a good listener

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and allows others to speak over the topic but his questions are direct and negative, which can
cause conflict.
The Stories the Participants Shared in the Interview
The CNN news reporters, Alisyn Camerota and Don Lemon present a small video clip of Bill
Maher giving negative comments against Islam. In addition, he stated Muslim people deserves to
die and further relates them to ISIS saying they are similar to each other. Additionally, the CNN
reporter Don Lemon adds on how Bill Maher described women rights being disrespected in
Muslim countries with the practice of FGM, which further shows disregard towards the gay
people. On contrary, Professor Reza Aslan opined that the factual percentage and information on
the topic such as FGM is not an Islamic problem rather is an African problem.
Alisyn Camerota again shares the story on how Bill Maher pointed out that FGM was the
problem of Muslim countries, as they disrespect the rights of women and gives an example of
Somalia. In reply to such statement made by Maher, the professor mentions that Muslims cannot
be blamed for FGM and explains facts that Eritrea has 90% of FGM practices and is a Christian
country. Furthermore mentions that Ethiopia has 75% of FGM and it too is a Christian nation.
Therefore, it proves his point that FGM is not associated with any religion. It is practiced in
certain communities of all religions that exist in the world. In the context of criticism against
Muslim women in Islamic countries, Professor Reza states that seven women in the Muslim
countries were elected as the State’s head and questions back how many women were elected in
the US itself. Certainly, there were no instances where any of the participants felt threatened, as
all the three participants in the interview had strong judgements and opinions, which they
strongly portrayed.

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Instances Where the Participants Were Relying on Opinions Rather Than Facts
Alisyn Camerota and Don Lemon simply relied on the opinions that were stated by Bill Maher
and Benjamin Netanyahu (the president of Israel) for the discussion. For example, Benjamin
Netanyahu in the clip mentioned that ISIS is Hamas and Hamas ID ISIS. In addition, the Alisyn
Camerota and Don Lemon asked whether Islam promotes violence. Furthermore, Alisyn
Camerota supports Benjamin Netanyahu’s statements and argues with Professor Reza.
Conflict Management Evaluation
Introduction
Conflict is the struggle of individuals over status, values, power, and the main aim of both the
party includes neutralizing and eliminating the other. Conflicts are based on real differences of
people’s values and beliefs, thus are inseparable from an individual’s life (Omisore & Abiodun,
2014). Furthermore, it is inevitable in any work because of the employee’s diverse personality,
opinions, and contrasting goals (American Management Association, 2018). Therefore, it is vital
for developing conflict management skills, as it can help in establishing a peaceful workplace.
Conflict management skills can further assist in facilitating a positive work environment with
reduced issues as well as grievances. Conflict management will help to develop interpersonal
relationship can further assist in facilitating effective communication. For example, in a business
environment to create a strong and supportive working team, it is vital that managers must have
conflict management skill. In this context, conflict management skill can help in enhancing the
culture of the workplace (Rhyason, 2018). Similarly, the study has focused on analysing an
interview, thereby evaluating the conflict management skills of each individual and how they
could have managed themselves along with the interview.

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Conflict Management Evaluation
Reza Aslan
Reza Aslan is the guest participant in the news show and is a professor at the University of
California. His research over the topic and the point along with the facts he mentioned are
excellent whenever a question or an opinion asked to him. Every time he communicated, Reza
Aslan was able to present his wide knowledge regarding the facts worldwide. His judgements are
based by analysing the issue at a global level rather than just by judging simply one community.
Every time he made communication, Reza Aslan was able to provide a large number of facts as
well as information for the purpose of proving what he wanted to convey. The only problem that
was arising conflicts was that Reza has well-researched knowledge regarding the discussed
topics, which Don Lemon and Alisyn Camerota significantly lacked. Thus, whenever Alisyn
Camerota or Don Lemon quoted something offensive regarding Muslims, Reza reacted back
instead of responding. He would have managed himself by understanding all the personal
differences and beliefs. He expected Alisyn Camerota to accept her consciences and was
argumentative when she spoke against religions. Reza could have managed conflict by
respecting differences, addressing Don Lemon as well as Alisyn Camerota in a constructive
manner with, self-awareness, self-control, and relax at the different instance (NOAA, 2016).
Reza’s communication skills were optimum and could have maintained himself better by using
any of the conflict responding techniques of collaboration instead of competing. In this context,
Reza was competing during conflicts, thus mentioned statements such as ‘Did you hear what you
just said? You said in Muslim countries.’ He would have rather responded to Alisyn Camerota
using compromising skills of managing conflicts, thereby also making sure that his viewpoints
along with his opinions are apparent to the audiences (The Foundation Coalition, 2003; Zhang,

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Chen & Sun, 2015). In specific instance, the differences in opinions were raised to a level where
Reza would have respected the opinions of others rather than being offensive over the topic
when the Don Lemon and Alisyn Camerota pointed out the religion, thereby highlighting all the
people under the religion with the same tag such as Muslims are violent, Muslims disrespects
women’s, and Islam promotes violence (Rahim, 2002).
The woman-anchor Alisyn Camerota
Conflict can arise in any communication and in any relationships because the individuals
involved in interaction have a different attitude, beliefs, and thus cannot agree on every point
with each other. The interview could have been better managed by Alisyn Camerota by
researching the facts and figures so as to make the interview more efficient and successful. The
discussion was regarding a biased topic, which mainly focused on pointing out Islam to be
violent, disrespectful to women, and minorities. She directly relied on the opinions of other big
personalities rather than doing her own research on the topic. Furthermore, she was seemed to
have strong feelings of belief about what was said by the other people and this was one of the
factors for the cause of conflict because Reza’s opinion was totally different (Rahim, 2002).
For the purpose of conflict management, Alisyn Camerota could have actively listened to what
Reza had to say on the topic. In many instances, she revealed poor listening skills, as she
interrupted Reza whenever he was making strong arguments with strong facts. Active listening
skills are one among varied conflict management techniques. Therefore, Alisyn Camerota could
have patiently herd and analysed what Reza’s opinion was as well as the reasons that made him
believe his statements (The University of Iowa, n.d.). Alisyn Camerota should have used better
communication techniques for the purpose of managing conflicts, as it enables a person to
understand other’s needs, perspectives, and emotions better (Chastain, 2013). With respect to the

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part of Alisyn Camerota, she can manage herself by a remaining calm as well as an alert about
the information that Reza argues with rather than questioning him back with an irrational and
argumentative question. She can improve herself in the interview by paying attention to the
beliefs of Reza and thereby respecting the differences (EDCC, 2010, Overton & Lowry, 2013).
Alisyn Camerota could have managed and made the interview more effective by being assertive
along with attacking the issues discussed rather than attacking Reza regarding his beliefs and
opinions.
In addition, Alisyn Camerota should have further made the interview a constructive one by
developing a healthy conversation of trust and co-operation. Furthermore, she could have
managed in providing effective interview by focusing on the perspective taking and thus asking a
related question for solving the issue. Additionally, with empathy, reasoning skills, and
judgements, she could have further extracted more important information form the guest
professor Reza, which would provide knowledge to the audience. There are different approaches
such as acceptance method, accommodating method, and collaboration methods for resolving
conflicts and with its usage, Alisyn Camerota could have managed herself and the interview in a
better way (Mosaic, 2018).
The Man-Anchor Lemon
Don Lemon played an active role in the interview and his way of making conversation was clear.
It can be stated that on every issue, he wanted to focus and constructively showed the video first.
He used the skill of making a productive communication by using a clip where different
personalities had given varied statements concerning the Muslims. In many instances, Don
Lemon has been responsible for managing the conflict with his skills (Berger, 2019). He could
have managed himself better in the interview by gaining sufficient knowledge regarding the

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topic. This is mainly due to the fact that Alisyn Camerota completely depended on the opinions
given by the others. Furthermore, he could have collected annual reports as well as the statistics
for supporting their viewpoints along with the questions. He simply mentioned the issue but did
not critically support it with any facts or happenings that are associated with the topic all round
the world. Don Lemon’s viewpoint about Muslim countries being subjugated to women was
simply based on one fact that in Pakistan, women were stoned to death. Thus, in this particular
context, he would have made the interview more effective by actively listening to the opinions
on how Reza Aslan mentioned that if some inhumane activities are practised by a certain
community, then they should not be made the representative of their religions. Reza further
stated that such activities are to be criticised by everyone but not their religion (Chastain, 2013).
In addition, Don Lemon should have minimised the conflicts at various levels, such as when
Reza and Alisyn Camerota started to converse, it was clear from the beginning that the
viewpoints were totally alike, thus he had to be more aware and strongly pick the issues one after
another to balance their viewpoints. Thus, during the instance of incompatible conversation of
Reza and Alisyn Camerota, Don Lemon would have managed conflict with any of the conflict
management strategy such as collaborating, accommodating, and compromising (Huan &
Yazdanifard, 2012; Rahim, 2002). In some instances, Don Lemon has been diplomatic back to
Reza, when the latter asked him questions. For example,
Reza: How many women do we have as states in the United States?
Lemon: Reza, be honest, though. For the most part, it is not a free and open society for women in
those states.
These kinds of diplomatic answers were hindering the interview in making it more effective.

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Conclusion
Based on the above analysis, it has been understood that the conflict arises in any place where
communication between two different human beings with different strong opinions exists. In the
interview, the conflicts were due to the fact that the professor Reza had well-researched the facts
and knowledge regarding each topics being discussed, while on the other hand, the CNN
reporters Alisyn Camerota and Don Lemon had just researched on the what other people had
remarked on the topic. They simply argued on the basis of other’s opinions. Thus, from this
perspective, it has been clear that conflicts can be reduced when conversation occurs between
people with the same kind of knowledge. Furthermore, the interview could have been more
effective if differences were respected and questions were formed in a better positive way rather
than in an irrational way. Therefore, it is significant that each individual should have conflict
management skills to avoid any types of issues in any instances and make every conversation a
productive and efficient one.

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References
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