Page 323 - Effective group discussion theory and practice by Adams, Katherine H. Brilhart, John K. Galanes, Gloria J

306 Chapter 11

Tony’s accommodating tactic is referred as an expression of desire for harmony
tactic. Tony goes along with an educational speaker in a personal effort to curtail the
arguing. Three other accommodating tactics include variations of giving up/giving in,
disengagement, and denial of needs. Had Tony responded with “Have it your way;
47
let’s bring in the educational speaker!” he would have given up the conflict.
Disengagement would be characterized with a remark such as “You know, I will not
even be here for the speaker, so do what you want.” Denial of his needs can be found
in “It’s OK; go ahead with the speaker you want.”

Competition Competition Competition is a highly aggressive, uncooperative style in which one
The uncooperative, person tries to win over another. Sometimes called dominating or forcing, competition
aggressive conflict is appropriate when you have strong beliefs about something and you perceive that
management style in other approaches will not allow your needs to be acknowledged or accommodated.
which one person However, competitive approaches can damage relationships and may end up doing
attempts to dominate more harm than good. In the Speaker Series Committee, Lori and Kevin competed.
or force the outcome Lori threatened to quit the group if only entertaining speakers were chosen, and
to his or her Kevin told Tony not to accommodate so readily because he, Kevin, had plenty of good
advantage.
arguments left in support of entertaining speakers. Both statements imply that the
speaker will do whatever is necessary to get his or her way.
Competitive style tactics include such actions as personal criticism, hostile jok-
ing, rejection, and hostile questions. These obviously denote a win–lose orientation
48
and involve one-upping the other party. Lori’s hostile imperative served as a threat to
leave the group if Kevin got his way. Kevin, on the other hand, created a coalition
with Tony to gang up on Lori. Competitiveness between Lori and Kevin can be
expressed in other ways. Both may have personally criticized the other with remarks
such as, “Lori, you are so selfish and unconcerned about the rest of us.” Kevin could
show rejection of Lori’s hostile imperative by responding to her with, “Go ahead and
quit—we don’t need you,” effectively dismissing her threat and attacking her person-
ally. A hostile question that demeans another person could come in the form of a
remark from Lori such as “Kevin, who does most of the work for this group?” Kevin,
on the other hand, could attribute feelings to Lori that she has not acknowledged in a
presumptive remark such as “Lori, you’re just making yourself miserable threatening to
quit.” Parties in competition also have at their disposal tactics that are designed to
deny personal responsibility for the conflict. How could Lori deny any personal
responsibility for the conflict between her and Kevin?

Collaboration Collaboration Collaboration, also called negotiating or problem solving, is a coopera-
The assertive, tive and assertive style that stems from an integrative attitude. It encourages all parties
cooperative conflict to a conflict to work together in searching for a solution that meets everyone’s needs.
management style In the Speaker Series Committee, Diedre eventually suggested that the committee
that assumes a look for a speaker who was both entertaining and educational. In doing this, she
solution can be found assumed that both important needs of the factions could be met without either faction
that fully meets the having to give up anything, that each faction’s “must-have” point could be accommo-
needs of all parties to dated. Collaborative solutions can be ideal because all members of groups that arrive
a conflict.
at collaborative solutions believe they have won without the others having lost.

gal37018_ch11_291_320.indd 306 3/28/18 12:38 PM