W5-Discussion 1
Yesterday29 Jul at 8:18
Your boss has asked you to lead a group of eight of your coworkers for a new project that will change several elements of your department. This is your first time in a leadership role and you anticipate that there will be a certain amount of conflict within this new group.
Identify potential conflicts that can occur in groups.
With a group setting and being under a new leader for a specific project, a couple issues come to mind that can hinder what the expectations are within the group as far as conflict. The group is already formed so the forming phase is complete. At this point, the group is experiencing many different conflict issues like, relationship issues, individual responsibilities within the project, and roles that each is to perform.
What strategies could you implement to manage the group conflict?
To start off if I was leading a group for a special project and it is new for me I would let the members get acquainted and prove themselves to being apart of a team and if they hold themselves to personal responsibility (Cahn & Abigail, 2014). Relationships will be tested as this is your first leadership project assigned for you to be in charge of. It is important to be present and show the mediation that is expected and that you can manage a group that is inevitable to create conflict. You want to help the group develop a sense of loyalty to ensure they know who is performing what tasks and that the group is well organized. If the differences that I mentioned above arise the members want to know that these issues are managed properly in which, this will also win over the group for a well lead group resolving issues. Following the phases of the next phase is storming making sure everyone is fitting in and feels purpose in the group. This is making sure as the leader that you give each member a purpose that they have a clear sense of their role. After the storming phase comes to the norming phase, which is how the group is looking for trust and structure (Cahn & Abigail, 2014). This will help the group grow and function more effectively (Cahn & Abigail, 2014). Always keeping in mind that at this point as a leader you want to clarify process goals to reiterate role expectations and that conflict is now serving to bring together group member's responsibilities. Then I would work with the group ensuring the performing phase, which serves to focus individuals on reaching consensus on expectations regarding problem-solving behaviors and accomplishing goals (Cahn & Abigail, 2014).
A group that is new and with a new leader you have to take it slow and be interactive within the group as a leader. Show that you are in the trenches with them, but also be responsive to all issues that arise. A leader that succeeds is a leader that shows interpersonal communication, trust, and commitment to the group's success.
Reference:
Cahn, D. D., & Abigail, R. A. (2014). Managing conflict through communication (5th ed.). Pearson Education, Inc. https://content.ashford.edu/
Yesterday29 Jul at 13:20
Hello,
New Project Leader Within a Work Group and the Types of Anticipated Conflict
When one member of a group is asked to lead, some members of the group may become judgmental of how the work is done. If a team member believes they would have been a better candidate to lead the project they may try to point out everything they would have done better. On the other hand, some members may not trust the new leader and may be reluctant to get involved based upon that lack of trust. Abigail & Cahn (2014), indicate that workers may differ over relationship goals that are related to what group members want in power, trust, supportiveness, competition, and rules that govern types of relationships in the workplace (Chap.12.1, para. 6). When the group is not aligned or feels that they must compete with other team members for the status it can cause conflict amongst the team members.
Strategies to Implement to Help Manage Group Conflict
It will be important for the new leader not to act arrogant about the fact that they were selected for the role. Asking for and using other people’s ideas can go a long way in helping the team feel a part of the project and want to support the leader. Making sure to give credit to the whole team is another way to avoid conflict. If a team member does not respond to this approach you may decide to use the S-TLC model to address the conflict.
Kristen
References
Cahn, D. D., & Abigail, R. A. (2014). Managing conflict through communication (5th ed.). Pearson Education, Inc. https://content.ashford.edu/