COM 325 W3D1

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School

Ashford University *

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Course

325

Subject

Communications

Date

Feb 20, 2024

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pdf

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2

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Situation The conflict climate plays a significant role in managing conflicts. Distrust is a major cause of conflict, and according to Managing Conflict through Communication , “ Distrust means we lack confidence in another person, we do not rely on that person, and/or we are suspicious or wary of her or him” (Cahn & Abigail, 2014, P.6.1). For example, I was recently given a reason not to trust my roommate's ability to pay her share of bills on time. When we moved in together, she dictated what bills went into whose name, therefore, who takes responsibility for paying them. To my knowledge, we paid equal amounts of every account, and we delivered our bills on time, and in full as she dictated, she was responsible for the rent. Then we received a paper notice regarding our rent, came to find out it is regularly paid late and is behind. Consequently, she became defensive, demanding he was incorrect (influenced by alcohol) and created a conflict between her and me. Behaviors How a person perceives and behaves affects the conflicting climate, creating a harmful or nurturing environment. The psychological atmosphere impacting the conflict can be an imbalance of power, distrust, competition, defensive versus supportive behaviors, and individual versus group decision making (Cahn & Abigail, 2014). For example, my roommate's dictating, individual thinking, and defensive behaviors over a notice from our landlord could have created a harmful conflict environment. According to Cahn & Abigail, “Both distrust and unhealthy trust are threatening to an interpersonal relationship when they contribute to a dangerous conflict climate (2014, p.6.1). However, while I am no expert, I am experienced, trained, and educated in conflict management. It was a requirement of multiple management positions that I completed courses. I know better than to react out of anger or frustration that this situation made me feel, and now I could not trust her increasing the conflict. Creating a Nurturing climate Part of being a competent conflict manager is what I prefer to do, and not add fuel to the fire, and according to Cahn & Abigail, “Competent Conflict managers do what they can to create a climate that facilitates constructive conflict management” (2014, p.6.1). Therefore, I employed the S-TLC by evaluating the situation and her (stopping), gaining control over my thoughts, emotions, and behaviors (think), and acting provisionally, not judging, belittling, or offending her. Then I simply listened to her being drunk and defensive the rest of the evening because I chose to listen and strategize when I was willing to communicate with her when she was sober. I wanted her sober and coherent, so both of us could listen to understand, and effectively communicate what we felt, thought, and needed from the other moving forward. The following morning, I expressed with empathy and speaking neutrally, but assertively, the importance of preventing the consequences that come with having an eviction on our records, being equally responsible and accountable for budgeting our money, and being honest when struggling. Supportive behaviors helped prevent this situation from escalating to a harmful environment and
establishing a nurturing one. A nurturing conflict climate needs equal power, trust, supportive behaviors which encourage assertiveness, openness, and collaboration for mutually satisfying results and manifest earned trust (Cahn & Abigail, 2014). The environment, behaviors, and way we speak to each other affect how each handles conflicts, what environment we create, and how efficiently we resolve them. Resource Cahn, D. D., & Abigail, R. A. (2014). Managing conflict through communication (5th ed.) Pearson.
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