For this week's assignment we had to think about any disagreements, or conflicts, that have recently experienced or are currently experiencing at work with a supervisor or colleague, or someone in our personal life. And then we have to share at least two strategies we have learned about that might help us manage or resolve the conflict more productively, and why these strategies might be effective. For example, could we suggest a compromise? Could we look for a broader range of solutions to our disagreement? Could we use some of the principles of nonviolent communication or the 3 R's to better help us resolve this conflict?
My conflict was with my supervisors last month. We are on a rotational shift. There are four workers and we each work one weekend a month, to keep it fair. Last month they had me on the schedule to work two weekends, because one of the supervisors just "didn't feel like working". I tried to reason with them, but we came to no resolution. I had to go to the manager to finally diffuse the situation and put us back on our normal work rotations.
I did offer compromises to no avail, and had to have a third party come in to fix the situation. Although, no tempers did arise, they were stubborn to the fact and weren't going to budge unless I got a higher official involved. But this time around, when the schedules came out, we all sat down in discussion about what is fair and what is appropriate and which weekends we would prefer to work to eliminate the problem we had last month and that made me feel great! Now I'm still only on one weekend AND it was the weekend of my choice!
