Graduate Student/Supervisor Relationship CMAHRO Fall Matt Erickson Director GSO/Faculty/Department Meeting December 13, 2011

Continuum of Conflict Management Processes No assistance, direct communication Informal 3 rd party assistance with... Formal 3 rd party assistance: no direct communication Negotiation Meetings Conversations Conciliation Coaching Team Building Coaching Training Facilitation Mediation Advisory mediation Fact finding Settlement conferences Grievances Arbitration Investigation Adjudication Relationship Process Substantive Informal: despite the intervention, the party retains control over, and input into, the final outcome. Formal: the party gives up control over, and has limited input into, the final outcome. Adapted from: Moore, Christopher et. al. Effective Mediation. Boulder: CDR Associates, 1989.

CMAHRO Fall Low confidence Lack knowledge “how to …” Lack requisite skills Lack support … “I’m all alone” Uncertainty Carelessly framed problems and solutions Examples of Barriers That Can Impede Effective Early Resolution Attempts

CMAHRO Fall What is the issue [topic] that you want to discuss with your supervisor? The Workbook … What are the key points that you want the supervisor to understand... Set the appropriate context for the conversation

CMAHRO Fall Assess potential barriers … The Workbook (cont’d)  presence of cultural factors that might get in the way  assess previous attempts to have conversations: what got in the way?  are there things you’re doing that might be distracting your supervisors?  are negative emotions getting in the way?

CMAHRO Fall Develop strategies on how they can be overcome Consider if there is any other support or resource they need Prepare them to share impacts of behavioural concerns Plan ahead for questions and options Plan timing and setting The Workbook (cont’d)

CMAHRO Fall The Workshop identify opportunities potential for negative outcome reinforce the importance of early commitment assessment, strategies and process

Matt Erickson Director, CMAHRO x

Characteristics of a Damaged Relationship Distrust is high Desire to understand another’s perspective is low

P R O C E S S G O O D Positive Substance Good Process Negative Substance Good Process Positive Substance Poor Process Negative Substance Poor Process P O O R SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME UNSUCCESSFUL influences G O O D CONCERNS EMERGING P O O R RELATIONSHIP Good Relationship Poor Relationship