leadership lesson 14

7/31/2019 Leadership Lesson 14

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Modern Whig Party of America

Whig Academy

Leadership Course

Lesson 14:

Managing Group Conflict


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Table of ContentsIntroduction..................................................................................................................................3In this Lesson...............................................................................................................................3What is Conflict?.........................................................................................................................3Causes of Conflict.......................................................................................................................4Styles of Managing Conflict: Overview.......................................................................................4

Styles of Managing Conflict: Aggressive/Confrontational........................................................4Styles of Managing Conflict: Assertive/Persuasive...................................................................5Styles of Managing Conflict: Observant/Introspective..............................................................5Styles of Managing Conflict: Avoiding/Reactive........................................................................5Styles of Managing Conflict: Use All Conflict Management Styles..........................................6Managing Conflict Situations: Suggestions for Conflict Management....................................6Review Exercises........................................................................................................................6Summary......................................................................................................................................8


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Introduction

Welcome to the lesson Managing Group Conflict.MWP supports the belief in the TEAM Together Everyone Achieves More. As a leader, youhave found that when groups work together for a common purpose, the results can be verypositive in achieving group goals.

Although having different perspectives, ideas, and personalities are overall very positive to thegroup, they can also lead to misunderstandings and tensions which may result in conflict withinthe group. As the leader, it is important to recognize when unresolved conflict exists within thegroup and when to step in and manage the conflict.In this lesson you will learn more about how to manage group conflict.

In this LessonThis lesson explains the definition of conflict, causes of conflict, and the four main styles of managingconflict, and general suggestions for conflict management.By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

Define conflict.Describe how conflict may benefit groups.Assess and apply different conflict management styles.

What is Conflict?It is important that we understand what conflict is, its causes, and how to recognize it. Conflict iswhen the concerns or methods used to accomplish goals of two or more people appear to beincompatible.However, when managed, conflict actually can be very good for a group. Managed conflict can:

Stimulate interest or curiosity and provide the means for the problems to be heard andpossibly resolved.

Increase group cohesiveness and performance and promote personal growth andpersonal change.The challenge of leadership is to maximize the positive aspects of conflict.


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Causes of ConflictWhen managed properly, conflict can be positive. However, when conflict goes unresolved, itcan lead to issues within the group. Common causes of conflict include the following:Different goals and valuesScarce resourcesUnclear direction for the group

Lack of communicationDifferent goals and Having different backgrounds and perspectives within the group isvalues positive.

Differences can come in the form of different beliefs, values, goals,and ideas which can lead to conflict when making decisions.Scarce resources Includes money, supplies, equipment, space, and even people.

When decisions are made on how to use resources, group memberswill have different ideas of how they should be used.Unclear direction If the group is unsure of its direction and leadership, the group willfor the group not have a common goal to work toward.Lack of Without open and honest communication within a group, there is acommunication lack of knowledge about the workings of the group.

Can lead to false assumptions and ultimately result in conflict.

Styles of Managing Conflict: OverviewThere are four main styles for managing conflict:1. Aggressive/Confrontational (take charge).2. Assertive/Persuasive (give and take).3. Observant/Introspective (thinking).4. Avoiding/Reactive (never happened).Let's discuss each conflict management style in more detail.

Styles of Managing Conflict: Aggressive/ConfrontationalOne way to manage conflict is by using the Aggressive/Confrontational (take charge) style. Using


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Styles of Managing Conflict: Use All Conflict Management StylesEven though you may find that one of these conflict management styles is more effective for you,it is important to be able to understand and use other styles when dealing with conflict.As a leader, you need to know your group, determine what is causing the conflict and interveneappropriately. Discovering your behavioral reactions to different situations gives you informationabout how you affect others. Effective group leaders analyze the situation, the members and the

conflict. The leaders then choose a technique that best fits the circumstances.

Managing Conflict Situations: Suggestions for ConflictManagementWorking with people is never easy. As you learn to confront conflict, you will learn to anticipatethe resolution. Sometimes issues cannot be resolved without the conflict that brings them to thesurface. You will need to look at it through neutral eyes and never take sides or have a personalownership in the conflict.Now take a moment to review the Conflict Management Points to see characteristics of effectiveconflict management. There are many points to consider, including being consistent, being aleader, and bringing out the best in the group and of course, above all don't lose your sense ofhumor.

Review Exercises

1. What are the benefits of group conflict? Bold all that apply.a. Locate those who lack a team-oriented attitude.b. Increase group cohesiveness and performance.c. Promote personal growth and personal change.d. Stimulate interest or curiosity and provide the means for the problems to beheard and possibly resolved.2. When is it appropriate to use the Aggressive/Confrontational conflict management style?a. When time is limited.b. When it is important to have solutions that everyone buys in to.c. When goals are moderately important.

d. When you see no chance of satisfying your concerns and you have little power tomake a change, such as someone's personality.

3. When used regularly, which style of conflict management may appear weak?a. Aggressive/Confrontational.b. Assertive/Persuasive.c. Observant/Introspective.d. Avoiding/Reactive..4. Which of the conflict management styles results in group trust and cooperation?a. Aggressive/Confrontational.b. Assertive/Persuasive.c. Observant/Introspective.

d. Avoiding/Reactive.5. Which conflict management style should you use?a. Aggressive/Confrontational.b. Assertive/Persuasive.c. Observant/Introspective.d. Avoiding/Reactive.e. It depends on the situation.


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SummaryCongratulations! This completes the lesson Managing Group Conflict. In this lesson, youlearned the definition of conflict, causes of conflict, the four main styles of managing conflict, andgeneral suggestions for conflict management. Trying to resolve conflict can be difficult when youare dealing with another person while trying to manage conflict within the group. Using varyingstyles of conflict management to resolve different situations can be challenging at first. However,

as you begin to identify the issues and personalities involved, you will see how important it is tobe in tune with your group.You should now be able to:

Define conflict.Describe how conflict may benefit groups.Assess and apply different conflict management styles.

This document is property of the MWP PAC and is not intended for use in any political campaign or

any specific candidate.

leadership lesson 14

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