Scenario: Imagine you are brought with a conflict from a student, parent or other teacher that has become exacerbated. For instance, a parent has complained to the teacher about the lack of help they received for an assignment. The teacher has decided to pass this angry parent on to you for needed help. Or, a student is frustrated about an assignment and won’t listen to any of the help you have offered, insinuating they want you to do their assignment for them (the parent also encourages this behavior).
You must deal with the person directly, but this person is extremely irritated and enraged. The last thing you want to do is provoke or add fuel to the fire. But your position requires you to enforce policies and follow certain rules. You need to find a resolution or compromise to satisfy this person enough to act more reasonably, calm down, and be somewhat satisfied with the answers you provide.
In your response, provide the following in a brief paragraph or bullet form:
Scenario example (describe the situation). You may use the examples from above or use one of your own (if a real-life scenario, keep real names out of the description).
At least two examples or named methods that can be used in resolving the conflict. Research various conflict resolution or psychological methods and define your top two choices.
Leadership in this situation or any conflict resolution is necessary. From here, provide a narrative (standard paragraphs) on a method for conflict resolution you have decided to use along with a leadership style or methods to address the following:
How will you initially respond emotionally and mentally?
How will you apply the conflict resolution method chosen to this situation? Does this overlap with psychological methods or terms? If so, what else can be applied here?
Do not assume the person you are dealing with does not have a mental illness. From a psychological perspective, how would dealing with someone with a mental illness such as anxiety or a social disorder be different?
Address how your faith/beliefs shape your leadership skills in this type of situation? For example, humbleness or how you would seek guidance from your faith.
What leadership style do you hope to connect with this resolution method and how do you think this will help? Or what aspects of your role do you consider forms of leadership that you most value and how would it connect with this situation?
What lesser known or used trait of leadership do you embody that can be incorporated here?
Example: A lesser known or used trait of leadership in a typical setting is that of meekness. Common beliefs of meekness is weakness. But from a faith perspective, meekness is a restrain on power to allow others to contribute, is power under control. It is not inaction or passive, but practices discernment, and is purposeful restraint of knowledge to redirect it to circumstances, allowing for community to form and empowerment of others (Wilson, 2013). Using the above as an example, great opportunities of displaying meekness can be presented in a library setting.
Describe how your faith/beliefs influences meekness and how it can be used in your daily setting with students and teachers and/or in opportunities to advocate for the school library.
Reference: Wilson, J. (2013). Blessed are the meek. In God’s good world: Reclaiming the doctrine of creation (pp. 225-234). Baker Academic: Grand Rapids, MI.
What is the final resolution? Is any follow-up required with this person or someone else in the school? Describe.
Tips:
According to Christian or your personal faith/beliefs, what traits or characteristics do you deem the most valuable and how can they be displayed in your role as a school librarian, especially in a conflict situation? For example, the Bible, specifically Proverbs chapter 16, guides me in leadership by…
How do you help guide others in developing their own leadership skills and how would you ensure this type of conflict does not happen again? For example, if someone else has passed this issue on to you, how do you follow-up with that person to prevent future instances?
How important do you think leadership is in your school and what ways does leadership allow for a greater voice or control?
Sample Solution
