The assignment was to come up with a proposal to improve the grade and method used on the previous MGT test. Among the methods available to handle conflict we have: 1) Compete to win, 2) Avoidance, 3) Compromise, 4) Accommodation and 5) Collaboration.
I can honestly say that Compromise and Collaboration were the methods I chose during the decision making process. Compromise in the way that I was able to listen and respect all the ideas involved during the process, including mines, without distinguishing between each other. What I mean is that I was not checking who had the lowest or highest grade to listen and consider suggestions. We were all equal at that point. We were all trying to come up with the best possible plan in the given time and as fast as possible. Collaborating was the other method I used. After a group of ideas were selected and placed on the board to study them out, the negotiation started. We were asking and checking with Prof. K about our options and up to what point he will consider our choices.
I think I chose these two methods because I think I am a person that doesn't "go with the flow" that easily and I am always looking for something else. Sometimes a little bit annoying. I listen what people have to say, analyze and then come up with my own point of view. I don't give up with anything I do (knock on wood).
Perhaps "compete to win" could have been another of my choices to handle conflict. On the test, the essay part was were I got more credit from. Also, I do believe that it is important to learn how to write and communicate in business situations. I could have opposed to what the majority wanted by demanding an essay for the next test but I didn't, at least not the entire period. By choosing the method, I could have had a more desirable result for me as opposed to the entire group. As this was a class activity, the entire group had to decide the best for all.
Compromise was something that we needed to do as group in order to reach a solution. I was quite surprise we actually did it since there were so many people who werent happy with the ideas that were thrown at the board and many who were just frustrated with the entire process. Like you, many felt that the best option is to listen and to be an active part of the process rather than withdraw or do nothing at all. This experience,in my opinion, lead us to better understand ourselves as a team player and our roles on it.To learn how to compromise and listen to others because,like I stated in my blog, the benefit is not for one personal but to all.
ReplyDeleteI was also surprised that we were able to get so much accomplished given the lack of progress for much of the discussion.
ReplyDeletePerhaps the best thing for students like myself who chose avoidance out of frustration with the process would have been for us to work on improving the process.
We might have been able to do this by not taking suggestions at first and instead spending the first 5 minutes figuring out the best framework with which to conduct our forum in order for all suggestions to be heard.
I think the goal is to hear a more diverse set of suggestions than we would if we heard only the "Compete" people's ideas.
It seems like you were a good team player since you gave up something that benefited you, the essay part. You understood that the interest of the whole class was to be put ahead of your own individual interest. We all had to give up something and I think that was the whole point of the excercise that we learn that we cannot always get everything the way we want it, we need to compromise.
ReplyDeleteCompromise and Colaborate! We eventualy achieved a solution but it was very hard. for a person as yourself that " doesnt go with the flow," compromise seems hard. I agree with you,everyone can find a reason to oppose, compromising just works out better,
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