S EMINAR U NIT 6 Conflict and Power

S EMINAR Q UESTIONS What is the relationship between power and conflict? Is it possible to have differences in power without having conflict? Is it possible to have conflict when there are no significant differences in power? What can be done to empower both parties in a conflict?

S EMINAR O VERVIEW Let’s talk thesis statements Conflict Power Conflict Matrix Case Study – apply what we’ve learned!

W HAT IS A THESIS ? A thesis statement is an assertion, not a statement of fact or an observation. Observation or fact: People use many lawn chemicals. Thesis: People are poisoning the environment with chemicals merely to keep their lawns clean. A thesis takes a stand rather than announcing a subject. Announcement: The thesis of this paper is the difficulty of solving our environmental problems. Thesis: Solving our environmental problems is more difficult than many environmentalists believe. “The Scott Foresman Handbook for Writers”

W HAT IS A THESIS ? A thesis is the main idea, not the title. It must be a complete sentence that explains in some detail what you expect to write about. Title: Social Security and Old Age. Thesis: Continuing changes in the Social Security System makes it almost impossible to plan intelligently for one's retirement.

W HAT IS A THESIS ? A thesis statement is narrow, rather than broad. If the thesis statement is sufficiently narrow, it can be fully supported. Broad : The American steel industry has many problems. Narrow: The primary problem if the American steel industry is the lack of funds to renovate outdated plants and equipment. A thesis statement is specific rather than vague or general. Vague: Hemingway's war stories are very good. Specific: Hemingway's stories helped create a new prose style by employing extensive dialogue, shorter sentences, and strong Anglo-Saxon words.

W HAT IS A THESIS ? A thesis statement has one main point rather than several main points. More than one point may be too difficult for the reader to understand and the writer to support. More than one main point: Stephen Hawking's physical disability has not prevented him from becoming a world-renowned physicist, and his book is the subject of a movie. One Main point: Stephen Hawking's physical disability has not prevented him from becoming a world renowned physicist.

T HESIS EXAMPLES Topic: “Communication between parents and children” Thesis: Analyzing our self-concept and understanding how we perceive things are specific ways to improve the way we communicate with each other. Topic: “Providing More Than Just a Paycheck” Thesis: The knowledge and use of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs can provide a nurturing environment at work and enhance employee performance.

C ONFLICT Interpersonal conflict occurs when “people recognize differences and are challenged, threatened, inconvenienced and/or troubled by them” (West & Turner, 2006, p. 249). Normal Inevitable

C ONFLICT : D EFINITION “the interaction of interdependent people who perceive incompatible goals and interference from each other in achieving those goals” (Folger, Poole, & Stutman, 2001, p. 5).

T YPES OF C ONFLICT 1. Issues: content, substantive 2. People: relationships, values, image Examples?

G ENDER AND C ONFLICT Relationship talk Collaboration vs. competition Conflict avoidance Participative vs. hierarchical Do these resonate with your experiences? How might this influence your managerial approach?

C ONFLICT S TRATEGIES Avoiding/Withdrawal Low assertiveness and cooperation Neutral Avoid conflict (even potential) Closed style Usually only delays conflict Recommended for: Trivial matters, futile situations, not worth it, time constraints

C ONFLICT S TRATEGIES Accommodating/Soothing More concern for others Conflict is destructive Relationships & harmony are central Hidden style Recommended: Trivial matter, relationship cannot be damaged, need time for thinking to tempers to simmer down

C ONFLICT S TRATEGIES Compromising Harmony is important Avoid direct confrontation (voting) Emphasis on compromise Closed, blind, hidden, open Recommended: Win-win, no need to one solution, no time, power is equal

C ONFLICT S TRATEGIES Competing Values individualism Power No compromise Blind style Recommended: Immediacy, force is expected, power is recognized, tends to be temporary fix

C ONFLICT S TRATEGIES Collaborating/problem solving Values both self and other Open conflict Productive problem-solving Time investment Open style Recommended: Common goals and values, solid training in problem solving

C ONFLICT M ATRIX How do these proverbs relate to your conflict? Soft words win hard hearts (B) Come now and let us reason together (O) The arguments of the strongest always have the most weight (S) You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours (F) The best way of handling conflict is to avoid it (T) When one hits you with a stone, hit him with a piece of cotton (B) Adapted from Lawrence and Lorsh (1987) Credit to David Johnson, HUMAN RELATIONS IN YOUR CAREER, Prentice Hall.

C ONFLICT M ATRIX A question must be decided by knowledge, not by numbers if it is to have a right decision (O) If you cannot make a person think as you do, make him do as you think (S) Better half a loaf than no bread at all (F) If someone is ready to quarrel with you, he isn’t worth knowing (T) Smooth words make smooth ways (B) Digging and digging, the truth is discovered (O)

C ONFLICT M ATRIX He who fights and runs away lives to run another day (S) A fair exchange brings no quarrel (F) There is nothing so important that you have to fight for it (T) Kill your enemies with kindness (B) Seek till you find, not lose your labor (O) Might overcomes right (S) Tit for tat is fair play (F) Avoid quarrelsome people - they will only make your life miserable (T)

C ASE S TUDY John works at a bank and would like to arrive at 9 a.m. so he can drop off his daughter at school. His boss wants all employees to arrive at 8 to start serving customers. What type of conflict? How to approach productively? How to empower both parties?