Masonry Magazine March 2002 Page. 8
CONFLICT
HOW WELL DO
YOU MANAGE IT?
by Richard Ensman, Jr.
Conflict is part and parcel of business life today. In fact, conflict is essential in any workplace which attempts to foster a spirit of progress and growth.
Yet, if conflict is not managed effectively, it can turn into a destructive force, wreaking havoc on working relationships and souring the achievement of important business goals.
How effectively do you manage and resolve conflict? If you're not sure, take this brief "conflict quiz" to find out. After you read each statement, give yourself a score of 3 if you believe the statement describes your usual work behavior. If the statement describes "frequent" work behavior, give yourself a 2. Statements that describe "infrequent" work behavior rate a 1, and statements that describe behavior you rarely exhibit rate a 0.
Here's the conflict quiz. No one is looking over your shoulder, so be brutally honest with yourself:
1. I encourage people around me to play "devil's advocate" with each other's ideas.
3 2 1 0
2. When I'm dealing with a tense situation, my statements tend to be non-directive.
3 2 1 0
3. I look for the roots-or causes-of conflict situations.
3 2 1 0
4. I attempt to understand the underlying feelings of people involved in conflict.
3 2 1 0
5. When dealing with conflict, I separate personal views from the professional demands of the workplace.
3 2 1 0
6. I separate issues from personalities.
3 2 1 0
7. I gently point out factual errors on the part of people involved in conflict.
3 2 1 0
8. I look for ways to help "losers" in a conflict retain a sense of pride.
3 2 1 0
9. I encourage people with opposing views to discuss the issues with each other.
3 2 1 0
10. I use organizational goals as the basis for reducing or resolving conflict.
3 2 1 0
11. I rely on people who are effective listeners and negotiators to help resolve difficult issues.
3 2 1 0
12. I avoid terming the arguments of any party to a discussion as "good" or "bad."
3 2 1 0
13. I map out a strategy for dealing with a conflict situation before I'm called upon to address the issues involved.
3 2 1 0
14. I look to the individuals involved in a conflict as the primary source of solutions.
3 2 1 0
15. I encourage the individuals involved in a conflict to embrace moderate positions.
3 2 1 0
16. I'm willing to be patient, resolving one or two issues in a conflict at a time.
3 2 1 0