Managing Conflict and Power

 This week at work, I observed a conflict between two coworkers, Alex and Taylor, regarding how to prioritize tasks for an upcoming project. Alex, who has seniority, preferred a fast-paced approach to meet the deadline, while Taylor, an expert on the project's specifics, advocated for a detailed approach that might extend the timeline. The initial interaction was tense, as each tried to assert their perspective without much consideration for the other’s viewpoint.

Reflecting on this scenario, I can relate it to Macmillan Learning's concept of "Power Dynamics" (Macmillan, 2022). In this instance, Alex held "legitimate power" due to their position, while Taylor had "expert power," based on their specialized knowledge. These types of power can create friction in collaborative environments when individuals rely on their respective sources of influence without compromise.

The chapter also discusses the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI), which categorizes conflict styles based on assertiveness and cooperativeness (Macmillan, 2022). Initially, Alex and Taylor both exhibited a “Competing” style—focused on winning rather than understanding. The project manager, recognizing the lack of progress, intervened and suggested they adopt a “Compromising” style, encouraging both to make concessions. As Macmillan Learning highlights, compromising balances both parties’ needs by finding a middle ground, which can be especially useful when time constraints and power dynamics are at play.

This experience reinforced the value of recognizing and balancing different power sources in conflict resolution. In settings where both legitimate and expert power are present, adapting conflict styles can facilitate better collaboration and prevent power struggles from disrupting team cohesion.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Considering Self

Image
Today, I found myself reflecting on who I am and where I’m headed. It’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind, moving from one task to the next, but I rarely stop to just think about myself. Not in a superficial way, but in a deeper, more thoughtful sense. Who am I, really? Beyond the roles I play for others—daughter, friend, partner, coworker—what do I want for myself? What are my desires, my boundaries, and the things I truly value? I’ve been feeling like parts of me have been shaped by what others expect or need from me. But what if I stripped all of that away? Who would I be without those influences? There’s a part of me that craves more quiet moments like this—moments to just  be  and reflect. I want to be more intentional with my time, my energy, and the relationships I nurture. I want to figure out what makes me feel fulfilled, not just what keeps me busy. It’s interesting, the more I think about myself, the more I realize how much I’ve grown but also how m...
Read more

Relationships with Family Members

Image
 Reflecting on my family dynamics, particularly with my grandmother, brings to mind some complex feelings about family relationships. Growing up, I observed that my grandmother often showed a preference for her biological grandkids—her daughter's children—over her stepgrandkids, which created a noticeable divide in the family. As my father was her husband's son, I, as a stepgrandchild, was often left out of the special attention and favoritism that my cousins (her biological grandchildren) received. This dynamic aligns with  family communication patterns , a concept discussed in Chapter 12, which emphasizes how families often communicate in ways that reflect their values, expectations, and power structures. My grandmother’s favoritism can be understood through the lens of  bias in family relationships , where biological ties are sometimes seen as more significant or valued than stepfamily connections. These patterns of communication within families can lead to conflict an...
Read more