A work team consists of six members who apparently share jobs and adhere to the roster system. The case study under discussion represents the conflict caused by the leader, Kim, who changes an agreed schedule without notifying other members of the team. As a result, some members disagree with the new schedule.
The changes in the roster create great problems to Palo who has already created some plans for weekend and it seems inconvenient for him to get up at 6 am on Saturday.
Moreover, the conflict is supported by the fact that the roster has been altered several times, creating inconveniences to the team members. The remaining four members of the team, Chris, Pat, Sari and Tuan are angry with a leader as it is not for the first time when Kim changes the arranged planes.
The case study under discussion point at some specific problems considered un class. Generally, the case study and the lectures are devoted to the teams. The problems of communication in teams and conflict management are the issues which connect the lecture material and the case under discussion. Conflict in the team is caused when group norms are broken and one person violates the principles of team norms.
The nature of the conflict lies in the inability of the team leader to communicate with other members of the team and arrange the changes in such a way that all remain satisfied. The main communication problems which occur in the group are connected with a failure to distribute the roles appropriately and disrespect.
Thus, it appears that all of the members believe they work in a group with democratic leadership style, while the leader works in autocratic style and does not want to listen to team members.
The conflict can be managed be means of several strategies. The first strategy is being aware of the ways in which conflicts can occur. Had Kim known that conflict would have occurred due to alterations made to the roster, he would have first communicated to the team in order to curb any form of conflict arising.
The team leader then should use verbal and non-verbal signs, apply to twelve conflict resolution skills and provide a platform for constructive feedback after communicating with the team members. The brainstorming technique may be used for solving a problem. Each member should have an opportunity to express personal opinion about the roster, make corrections and support the ideas of each other.
Team members ought to respect each other instead of arguing. They are to give descriptions of their role in the intended roster system. The team members can put across their ideologies for developing options and establishing a preferable resolution on the subject matter which is the roster system. In case where the members cannot agree on a reasonable solution, it is advisable to turn to a third party to mediate.
This work team can apply effective procedures to prevent unnecessary conflict which includes implementation of a win-win approach where team members are contented with the decision made as well as the team leader.
Cooperation in decision making and ensuring that all members of the team participate in decision making process and also treatment of team members with respect is a procedure that prevents unnecessary conflict from occurring one.