During an event during which I acted as manager, a number of measures were taken to ensure a high-quality experience for attendees and staff. Because the event was focused on refugees and related themes, it was vital for the conduct to be influenced by effective but empathetic methods. The services provided were delivered in an adequate, respectful, and timely manner.
Generally, the staff and management reacted to instances or issues in a mature manner, especially in regard to coordination and resource allocation. The attendants of the event varied, but many had faced adversaries both as refugees and single parents. As such, the event and the performance of the staff and the managerial team worked in accordance to appropriately provide for them. Overall, both the leadership and employees were able to conduct the services and their approach well, with only a few issues.
The main issue occurred between the leadership team and some of the workers at the event. This was due to both the lack of clear instructions on the side of management and the inability of employees to perform adequately in particular tasks. Such issues created further problems, which led to instances during which services or delivery of items were not done efficiently. The varying clarity of instructions frustrated the employees and caused them to consider the event to be poorly managed.
However, a number of employees also performed poorer than expected in tasks that did not require input from management. This conflict likely arose from an insufficiently constructed social structure within the event. The lack of a concise hierarchy and outline of tasks prevented both the leadership team and employees from achieving their goals as intended.
Conflict theory is a potential tool that can be used to analyze the issues that occurred within the event. Conflict theory proposes that inequality arises from one group dominating another (Crossman, 2020). Within the theory’s scope, inequality is a hindrance to progress and inherently negative. As such, it is possible that without a viable structure to outline the responsibilities and tasks of the individuals working at the event, inequality became prevalent.
In instances in which inequality is present, the maintenance of the status quo is undesirable and should be transformed into something that prioritizes equality. The leadership team lacked clear instructions and goals and may have reacted to the requests of workers inappropriately. Therefore, they were unable to assist the workers adequately. As a result of this power imbalance, the workers were unable to perform well or had no desire to do so.
The recommended steps for working on another similar event would be to provide both the workers and the managerial units with clear and effective roles, responsibilities, and tasks. This includes defining the necessary inherent features of the events and which staff members may be appropriately selected for completing them. Additionally, in the instance of conflicts or issues, the leadership team must be instructed on how to handle and resolve incidents.
It must be clear that the relationship between the leadership team, the workers, and the attendees must be professional, respectful, and courteous. Having prior training and response methods discussed with the staff can directly contribute to efficient and conflict-free problem-solving during the event. It is vital that as a manager, I and other individuals performing in leadership roles address instances in which workers are unsatisfied with our response.
Reference
Crossman, A. (2020). The sociology of social inequality. ThoughtCo. Web.