07+Managing+Conflict

= **Managing Conflict** =


 * Text Support & Personal Experience:**
 * Lambert states, "The higher the leadership capacity of a school the more this constraint factors dissolve into the background" (2003, p. 40). For this reason, I personally ranked managing conflict lower on the list. However Lambert also points out that it is important "personal conflicts are not allowed to simmer. Team members employ a conflict resolution process--whereby they listen to each position, seek common ground, and Identify strategies to address the problem--and call a mediator if needed" (2003, p.26). Managing conflict on its own is a valuable skill, but many other skills are needed to help carry it out effectively. ~Kate


 * For this skill, I am going to refer to personal experience. I was the State Professional Development Seminar Coordinator, State President-Elect and State President for Student Wisconsin Education Association (Student program to WEAC and NEA). One of the activities that the state executive team did at the beginning of each summer, prior to the start of the school year, was partake in a leadership retreat that consisted of just the five officers and the advisor. During the retreat, one of our tasks was to complete a conflict resolution packet, to understand first, how we individually deal with conflict, and then to make a plan to deal with group conflict. Thus, if a situation would arise during the year, we would know how each other deal with conflict and to approach the issue that best fit the individual or the group. It was great to have something into place, that way it wasn't an ambush or negative experience if something did need to be figured out. Managing conflict is very hard, and many people will look the other way instead of dealing with a situation. A leader is one that can figure out an option to approach the subject and deal with it before it would get out of control. -Kelly


 * Managing conflict effectively can be considered being politically savvy; knowing each side and what they want and negotiating a compromise is difficult and takes a skilled leader. Bolman and Deal talk about managing conflict in Exhibit 16.3 A Political Scenario "The job of a leader is to recognize major constituencies, develop ties to their leadership, and manage conflict as productively as possible." Further, they write, "They can't give every group everything it wants, but they can create arenas where groups can negotiate differences and come up with a reasonable compromise." (2003, p. 327). ~Laura