All responses should be a minimum of 300 words, scholarly written, APA formatted, and referenced. A minimum of 2 references less than five years old are required.
Leaders are often faced with the challenge of resolving conflicts in the work environment. Conflict stems from normal, therapeutic behavior. Management and resolution of conflict requires refined leadership skills. In this module, we will discuss strategies and approaches to conflict in healthcare organizations.
Objectives
Upon completion of the module, students will be able to:
* employ strategies for managing conflict in the work environment.
* distinguish between normal conflict management and management of differences
* develop insight and skills regarding how to apply conflict management skills.
* state why DNPs should be leaders in healthcare organizations prepared to manage conflict on interprofessional teams.
Readings
Textbooks:
* Albert, N.M. et al. (2022); Chapter 6
* Zaccagnini, M.E., & J.M. Pechacek. (2021); Chapters 6 and 9
Websites:
* Dorn, B., Marcus, L.,& McNulty. E. (2013). Four steps to resolving conflicts in health care. https://hbr.org/2013/10/four-steps-to-resolving-conflicts-in-health-care
Video:
* Dinkin, S. (2013). Transforming conflict to collaboration in healthcare. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XY3gCn1i5TI
Supplemental Journal articles (available via the Wilkes ES Farley Library)
* Watson, L. M. (2015). Does feeling part of the team affect other characteristics of nursing teamwork? Canadian Oncology Nursing Journal, 25(1), 99-102. https://www-proquest-com.wilkes.idm.oclc.org/docview/1768622817?OpenUrlRefId=info:xri/sid:summon&accountid=62703
Topic 1: Conflict and Organizational Growth
Conflict provides a unique opportunity for leaders to exercise premier skills for management and resolution. Conflict occurs when differences exist between two or more people. New Age leadership in the 21st Century supports conflict as a positive movement toward growth in an organization. The complexities of human behavior promote conflict. Culture, race, gender, social issues, income, and personal beliefs, such as family, mental health, and level of maturity, can inflict conflict (Porter-O’Grady & Malloch, 2018). Avoidance of conflict creates workplace anger and discord. Although organizations can benefit from conflict, Porter-O’Grady and Malloch (2018) identified strategies to employ for potential avoidance of conflict:
* Open communication: Relationships are based upon communication that occurs in working environments. When leaders integrate opportunities for openness and professional communication, there is less potential for conflict.
* Converging of organizational and professional work goals: Goals of the organization and individual workers are harmonious, providing fewer conflicting moments.
* Manage conflict productively : Awareness of conflict and management in organizations that is timely, proactive, and productive prevents a heightening of issues. Conflict is a natural, human behavior appearing at times without warning. The sooner resolution is sought, the less time required to manage the situation.
Topic 2: Team Based Conflict
Potential exists for increased conflict, among individuals in healthcare organizations, with the paradigm shift to teamwork and interprofessional practice. Various disciplines participating on interprofessional teams may expose members to an increased potential for strife. Some factors that contribute towards conflicting situations in healthcare organizations include:
* Unfair or inadequate treatment
* Lack of essential information
* Game-playing
* Not acknowledging everyone’s uniqueness
* Lack of mutual appreciation
* Power issues
Effective leaders of interprofessional teams can manage conflict by anticipating potential events. Understanding there will be differences among members, while managing input and output of the team, can assist with preparation for potential issues (Porter-O’Grady & Malloch, 2018).
QUESTIONS:
1. Identify a significant event in your professional career that created conflict for you. 2. Identify the sources of conflict from the information presented on p. 220, Exhibit 6-1. 3. Identify if this conflict was rooted in identity-based conflict or was interest-based conflict and why. 4. If it was identity-based conflict, describe the skills utilized for resolution according to ARIA. 5. If it was interest-based, describe which of the ten steps for conflict resolution were most effective for resolution
