2/5/2013 Phases of Conflict Resolution

Phases of Conflict Resolution

         Conflict is an unavoidable part of life. It is something that with maturity and experience becomes easier to handle. A key component in dealing with conflict resolution in a successful manner is listening. It is vital that both parties make an honest attempt to listen openly as it is the only way to ensure an authentic resolution. Listening was the key element in my personal conflict.

            This conflict was between another coach and me. It was of a serious nature in that we (the board of directors) believed that his behavior could lead to sexual harassment. In order to derail him from the path we believed him to inadvertently be on, we decided that I would confront him and attempt to resolve the situation.  “The prelude to conflict consists of the variables that make conflict possible between those involved” (Abigail & Cahn, 2011.) The four variables involved in my personal conflict were a fellow coach and I (the participants). Our relationship was professional. The other interested parties in our conflict were board members. The physical environment was our training facility and the social environment was one in which we each had numerous professional and personal relationships with other parties involved.  The triggering event or conflict stimulus was one specific situation in which his behavior was inappropriate and unprofessional. This particular even happened after a series of smaller yet similar situations. The initiation phase was when I confronted him about his behavior in a professional manner. The differentiation phase took place over a course of only a few minutes. In this phase he repeatedly attempted to justify and excuses his behavior. The resolution phase finally occurred once I was able to convince him that this was not a personal attack and that I was in fact trying to assist him. At this point he was open to listening to me. He then understood how quickly this situation could escalate and spiral out of control. It was also helpful to make him understand that as a fellow coach I know what great things he is capable of and this was not part of our vision for him.

Fortunately I was able to reach a resolution quickly. We were able to prevent a potentially disastrous situation that would not only ruin this young man’s life but would permanently scar the reputation of our establishment. Listening was the most important factor to our resolution and it was present in all five phases.

 

                       

References

Abigail, R. and Dudley, C. (2011). Managing Conflict through Communication: Fourth

            Edition. Retrieved from http://online.vitalsource.com