MD4042 LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT

An excellent example

The results of my conflict management handling test suggest that my preferred approach to conflict

is avoidance. I would tend to agree with this result as I do not like to argue or fall out with people if

possible and often hope that problems will go away if ignored. Pizzola (2018) states that this

approach is used when people do not feel they have authority or power to deal with the issue and

Mossanen et al. (2014) warn that conflict avoidance can cause resentment to build and undermine

team effectiveness. In future I will ensure that I consider all of the conflict management strategies

(Thomas-Kilmann, 2010) particularly when acting in positions of leadership and authority, in order to

select the most appropriate course of action for the situation. If an opportunity to apply a

collaborative strategy exists, I will try to find it.

References

Mossanen M, Johnston, S. Green J. Byron J (2014) A Practical Approach to Conflict Management for

Program Directors. Journal of Graduate Medical Education. Jun; 6(2): 345–346.

Pizzola, N. (2018) Psychcentral. Why you need to stop avoiding conflict and what to do instead.

Available at: https://psychcentral.com/blog/why-you-need-to-stop-avoiding-conflict-and-what-to-

do-instead/ (accessed 23/10/2020)

Thomas, K. and Kilmann, R., (2010). Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument Profile And

Interpretive Report. [online] CPP. Available at: <https://www.cpp.com/pdfs/smp248248.pdf>

[Accessed 21 February 2016].

Note:

This is an excellent reflective paragraph because:

Rolfe et al’s (2001) framework has been used to guide and structure the reflection as follows:

What? The description of the test results is not too long and includes the feelings of the reflector.

So What? Applies knowledge to understand the situation. This is taken from wider reading, which is

cited and referenced correctly using the Harvard system of referencing, using a broad range of

sources including academic journals.

Now What? Makes a decision informed by the analysis in the So What? stage regarding what to do in

future. The action proposed is appropriate and supported by the analysis.