Communication and Conflict - Essay Example

71). An example of such a conflict is that between team members on the job. A common situation is when one team member wants to finish faster and therefore is willing to forego some tasks which he believes are unnecessary. The other team member, on the other hand, wants to ensure top quality and therefore would not want to rush the work. The goal of one is to finish sooner and may sacrifice quality; the other wants to ensure quality and therefore takes his time. Conflict ensues. If each person identifies and articulates his goals to the other, they often find that they could work up a compromise where the goals of each could be served by a common course of action.

In the example, the team mates could agree on the level of quality and the steps necessary to attain it, with a view to reducing the time and eliminating those tasks not needed to ensure the quality. In such a scenario, the acceptable level of quality is attained at the soonest possible time. The perception of interference of goals and interests is therefore avoided, and conflict is eliminated. Page 1 question 2----Compare methods for improving conflict goals in this week's Case Study? Discuss concepts from the text, other than TRIP goals, which are addressed in the unit project.

There are different methods by which conflict goals may be improved in most practical situations including the case study. First, it is important to understand that goals may change as actions are taken and the task progresses. Goals may be prospective, transactive or retrospective. Prospective goals occur prior to the conflict; for instance, prior to a vacation trip a wife may be thinking of going to a destination that includes shopping, while the husband may be thinking of going somewhere remote that allows for some fishing.

Transactive refer to goals as the conflict is unfolding. The couple may realize that each of them have different interests, forcing them to adjust their expectations, like choose a destination that offers a little of both. Finally, there are retrospective goals, which occur after the conflict. Husband and wife may spend time and effort justifying to themselves the reasons they are adopting new goals. Another concept for improving conflict goals is to clarify one’s goals to the other. Clarifying goals allow for the elimination of misconceptions and arrival at a mutual agreement.

It also helps to estimate the other person’s goals, in order to prepare an alternative proposal before the conflict may start, instead of just reacting to conflict situation. Finally, it is possible to arrive at collaborative goals among the conflicting individuals. By collaborating in goal setting, the short, medium, and long-range issues are addressed prior to the start of the conflict. The goals then arrived at are capable of being acted upon. PROJECT 1. Overview of the case The situation involves the conflicting goals of the cast, crew, producer and director of a play which is just to begin production.

The producer needs a commercial success, and the director is faced with the pressure of fulfilling this requirement while assembling his people who have conflicts with one another. 2. Presentation of the key facts The director, Roger, is uncertain of how to envision the new play. He is joined by Marla, the costumer, who is enthusiastic but a trifle disorganized. Tim, the set designer, and Risa, who is in charge of lighting, disagree about