Competency
Distinguish conflict resolution strategies.
Student Success Criteria
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Scenario
You are a new HR manager at HarmonyForge Solutions. The senior managers are trying to more clearly understand all the types of conflict resolution strategies their managers use to overcome conflict challenges among their teams. You only have 5 minutes to explain the five conflict resolution strategies from the Thomas-Kilman Model.
Instructions
Your task is to create a visually appealing presentation, diagram, or infographic (Word SmartArt, Canva, or PowerPoint are suggested tools) that comprehensively explains the five conflict resolution strategies (known as the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Model):
1. Avoiding
2. Accommodating
3. Compromising
4. Competing
5. Collaborating
Remember to cite the sources used to develop the presentation, diagram, or infographic.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Understanding Conflict Resolution Strategies: The Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Model
As a new HR manager at HarmonyForge Solutions, it is essential to grasp the five conflict resolution strategies outlined in the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Model. In this visually engaging presentation, we will explore each strategy to help senior managers better understand how to address conflict challenges within their teams effectively.
1. Avoiding
– Description: In this strategy, individuals tend to ignore or sidestep conflict situations, often avoiding confrontation and preserving harmony.
– Applicability: Suitable for minor issues or when the conflict is not worth the time and effort to address.
– Outcome: May lead to unresolved issues simmering beneath the surface and potentially escalating in the future.
2. Accommodating
– Description: This strategy involves prioritizing the needs and concerns of the other party over one’s own, aiming to maintain relationships and harmony.
– Applicability: Effective when preserving relationships is more important than individual goals or when one party recognizes their fault.
– Outcome: Can build goodwill and trust, but may result in one party feeling taken advantage of if overused.
3. Compromising
– Description: In this strategy, both parties make concessions to achieve a mutually acceptable solution, finding a middle ground that partially satisfies each side.
– Applicability: Useful when time is limited, and a quick resolution is needed or when both parties have equally important goals.
– Outcome: Promotes cooperation and a sense of fairness, but may lead to suboptimal solutions if essential issues are not fully addressed.
4. Competing
– Description: This strategy involves pursuing one’s interests at the expense of the other party, asserting dominance and pushing for a preferred outcome.
– Applicability: Effective in situations requiring quick decisions or when assertiveness is necessary to uphold principles or protect vital interests.
– Outcome: Can lead to strained relationships and resentment if overused, but may be necessary in certain high-stakes scenarios.
5. Collaborating
– Description: In this strategy, parties work together to find a mutually beneficial solution that addresses the interests of all involved, emphasizing open communication and joint problem-solving.
– Applicability: Ideal for complex issues where multiple perspectives are valuable, fostering creativity and innovation.
– Outcome: Promotes trust, respect, and long-term relationship building, leading to sustainable solutions that consider diverse viewpoints.
Sources:
– Thomas, K. W., & Kilmann, R. H. (1974). Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument. Tuxedo, NY: Xicom.
– “Conflict Resolution Strategies: The Thomas-Kilmann Model.” Mind Tools. https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newLDR_81.htm
By understanding and applying these conflict resolution strategies from the Thomas-Kilmann Model, HarmonyForge Solutions can enhance team dynamics, promote effective communication, and navigate conflicts with tact and diplomacy.
