Page 203 - Becoming a Successful Manager

194 BUILDING ON YOUR FOUNDATION

• If possible, compose a written agreement concerning the
resolution. Having a written agreement often prompts people
to take their promises more seriously than they would other-
wise. This is important in today’s fast-paced, potentially remote
environment, because it creates a reference that can be reviewed
should the same confl ict keep coming up.
The ideal goal of a confl ict resolution is to achieve agreements
that benefi t both parties and strengthen the relationship of the
confl icting parties. You will contribute to the well-being of your
department if you teach your employees how to constructively and
productively work through their confl icts with one another.

Questions to Consider

• How would you resolve the conflict in perception between you
and Josh in Example 1 in this chapter?

• How would you resolve the conflicts with Chuck, Marvin,

Millie, and Jane individually and as a group in Example 2?
How can your resolution help avoid confl icts in the future?

• What is your initial statement to the sales manager in Example
3? How would you end your meeting?

• Describe a recent conflict that you experienced. If you resolved
it successfully, how did you do it? If you didn’t, what did you do
that you shouldn’t have? If you had to do it over, what would you
do differently?