I haven't experienced any conflicts of disagreements at my current job. I try really hard not to get into conflict situations or disagreements with other people especially in the workplace. I have always been the person that tried hard to avoid conflict. I normally try to make people happy or try to find the positive in a negative situation and focus on that. However, I can think back to August of last year when I was having a number of issues with my schedule at an agency I used to work for. My supervisor and district manager both seemed to want or need different things when it came to my availability. I am was only a part time worker, and they wanted me to be flexible like the full time staff. I had a meeting and expressed my concern to see if they could work out a modified schedule that would help with child care issues. At the first meeting my supervisor was not receptive to changing my schedule. She stated that my schedule has to be based on the needs of the business. I understood her concern, but I told her she must have forgotten that she had young children once. We continuously came to one wall after another each time she tried to make amendments to my schedule and find something that worked for everyone. I felt like she was trying not to work with my schedule because she knew I would resign. Eventually we were able to find a workable solution that met everyone’s needs. However it was only temporary, and she advised that it would last about 3 months. I ended up resigning at the end of the 3 months. I think we could have worked together to compromise and find a solution that would be beneficial for everyone. It was important that we listened to and respected each other throughout this process or we would have never gotten to that point.
After this week’s resources I now see there were so many different ways I could have handled the situation from the beginning. The 3 R’s of communication would have helped me understand how to resolve the conflict of the conversation a little better. We both should have communicated with respect through out the conversation. It's hard to respect someone when you feel like they don't have your best interest at heart. As a supervisor, she should understand that you treat people like you want to be treated regardless of the situation.
Candice,
ReplyDeleteOne way in which you can look at this past situation is to see it as a learning experience. Had you, as well as, your former supervisor had known about the importance of respect, the whole scenario would have transpired somewhat differently. But thanks to this course, we all have gained a level of competence concerning managing conflict in an appropriate fashion, wherein both parties come out with satisfactory results.
Thanks for sharing such a transparent story of your conflict!
Theresa
Candice,
ReplyDeleteLike you I try to avoid conflict at all cost. I realize though that If I plan to become an director or own my own daycare then conflict is going to happen. Not necessarily directed towards me but perhaps between my employees and the families of my center. It will be up to me as a leader and director to come up with ways to resolve conflict. Although making everyone happy may not always happen I am glad to learn what steps to take to make that effort.