Monday 24 December 2012

Methods for handling conflict in mediation


Handling conflict

Conflict occurs when two people have perceived incompatible goals or experience interference from others in achieving their goals. Thomas and Kilmann (in Cole 2002, p.175) developed a conflict mode instrument that is designed to assess an individual's behaviour in conflict situations. They maintain that a person's behaviour can be scaled between assertive (the extent to which the individual attempts to satisfy his/her own concerns) or cooperative (the extent to which the individual attempts to satisfy the other person's concerns). These two basic dimensions of behaviour can be used to define five methods of dealing with conflict.
Handling conflict diagram
Source: Thomas and Kilmann in Cole 00 , p.1 5)
Competing is assertive and uncooperative – individuals pursue their own concerns at the other person's expense.
Accommodating is unassertive and cooperative – individuals neglect their own concerns to satisfy the concerns of the other person.
Avoiding is unassertive and uncooperative – individuals do not immediately pursue their own concerns or those of the other person; they don't address the issues.
Collaborating is both assertive and cooperative – this involves an attempt to work with the other person to find some solution which fully satisfies the concerns of both people.
Compromising is intermediate in both assertiveness and cooperativeness – the objective is to find a mutually acceptable solution which partially satisfies both parties.
Everyone is capable of using all five conflict-handling modes but some people use some modes better than others.
credits;http://resources.fahcsia.gov.au/ConsumerTrainingSupportProducts/employers/being_an_effective_manager/sec3.htm
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