Unresolved Conflict- Navigating the Impact on Relationships and Exploring Effective Conflict Resolution Strategies

Unresolved Conflict- Navigating the Impact on Relationships and Exploring Effective Conflict Resolution Strategies

Conflict is part of our everyday life, and as a manager, I often get involved in conflicts. Accordingly, on one account, I had a meeting performance review with one of the employees, and the session started off with a positive tone, acknowledging his strengths and contributions to the team. However, when I delved into areas where improvement was needed, his demeanor changed. A defensive posture set in, and a noticeable tension tightened in his interactions. I attempted to provide constructive feedback, highlighting specific instances where adjustments could be made for overall growth. Instead of acknowledging the feedback, he immediately became argumentative. The employee’s responses were marked by excuses, justifications, and a refusal to accept responsibility for any shortcomings. Need help with your assignment ? Reach out to us. We offer excellent services.

As the discussion progressed, I tried to shift the focus towards coaching and development opportunities. I presented tailored plans to help the employee enhance specific skills and overcome challenges. However, any mention of improvement triggered a defensive reaction. He argued vehemently, dismissing the coaching suggestions as unnecessary and questioning the validity of the feedback provided. The conflict escalated, with me struggling to maintain a constructive dialogue. His defensive stance turned into open hostility, making it clear that any attempt at feedback or coaching was perceived as a personal attack. I was determined to foster a positive working relationship and remained composed and empathetic, attempting to understand the root of his resistance. Despite my efforts to create a supportive environment, the meeting concluded with unresolved tension.

To foster a more positive outcome in the scenario, I  could employ several communication strategies, including the use of “I” statements, clarifying questions, and effective nonverbal communication. Firstly, instead of framing feedback in a way that might be perceived as accusatory, I could use “I” statements to express my observations and feelings. For instance, “I noticed that in some instances, communication has been a bit unclear, and I feel it’s important for us to work together to improve in this area.” Secondly, when faced with defensiveness or argumentative responses, I could employ clarifying questions to encourage reflection and understanding. For example, I might ask, “Can you help me understand your perspective on this issue?” or “What are your thoughts on how we can address this challenge together?” Lastly, nonverbal cues play a crucial role in communication. I should maintain open body language, make eye contact, and use facial expressions that convey empathy and understanding. This can help create a more supportive atmosphere, signaling to Alex that the intention is to collaborate rather than criticize. The use of “I” statements is quite effective because it enables the person speaking to be assertive without making accusations, which mostly leads to the listener being less defensive, as explained by Goodtherapy (2018).

References

GoodTherapy. (2018). “I” message. GoodThreapy. Accessed from: https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychpedia/i-message

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How we handle conflict can impact the growth, or dissolution, of a relationship. Learning effective strategies to handle conflict can help us manage in ways that lead to improvement in our interactions. In this Discussion, you will consider a relationship in which conflict was not resolved. You will consider the context and what led to the outcome.

Unresolved Conflict- Navigating the Impact on Relationships and Exploring Effective Conflict Resolution Strategies

Using our reading resources, you will then consider “I” statements that could be used effectively to assert your point of view while not blaming someone else or making them defensive. Learning to think about your responses before you experience conflict in the future can help make you a more effective business communicator.
Read the Communication Program Discussion Guidelines.
Read “6.2 Conflict and Interpersonal Communication” in this week’s Learning Resources.
Read “Are “I” Statements Better Than “You” Statements?” in this week’s Learning Resources.
Read “‘I’ Message” in this week’s Learning Resources.
Choose a relationship that you have discussed in this course and a time in that relationship when conflict was not resolved in a good manner.
Post a response that addresses the following:

Provide a description of the relationship and its context (personal, family, or workplace, for example).
Describe a conflict that has taken place that did not have a good outcome.
Tell us how you could use “I” statements, clarifying questions, and effective nonverbal communication to bring about a more positive outcome. Give specific examples of each.
Evaluate the effectiveness of “I” statements within the scenario