Discussion Post: Informal Mediation
In many situations, managers or leaders are often asked to step in and become the informal mediator when conflict arises. Reviewing last week's scenario based on Brian and Jon's workplace conflict, put yourself in the role of their manager. Brian and Jon have just approached you (their manager or someone they consider a leader) to informally mediate their conflict and you have agreed to help.
Scenario
Two employees, Brian and Jon work in the same enclosed office and there are no other spaces available where either could be shifted. They are becoming increasingly frustrated about how to share the space and be productive. Brian likes to work with the door open, but Jon likes the door closed. Brian tends to shift tasks frequently, talking on his cell phone or speaking to people going by, while Jon prefers to do one task at a time. Jon tends to talk to himself as he is working. Jon also likes to put large sticky notes on the wall to visualize what he is working on, while Brian works primarily on his computer. Brian likes to spread a number of different items out to refer to as he is working and tends to leave them on the floor and all around his desk until he is finished. Both are claiming that each other's work habits are preventing the other from working to full capacity.
Cahn, D. D., & Abigail, R. A. (2014). Managing conflict through communication (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.
To prepare for this Discussion, pay particular attention to the following Learning Resources:
Review the Learning Resources, especially:
• "Managing Others' Disputes Through Mediation" Resolving Workplace Conflict Through Mediation - From MindTools.com
• Simpson, M. (2010). Good leaders are good mediators.
Homework
Respond to at least two of your peers' postings in one or more of the following ways:
A. Offer additional strategies your peer might do to maintain a neutral stance and not inadvertently influence the content of this dispute.
B. Offer edits that include would you add to, or subtract from, the opening statement your peer provided. Please provide a rationale.
C. After reading your peer's post, explain additional thoughts you have about another statement of agreement from either Brian or Jon that you did not include in your original post.
D. Compare your peer's approach to the mediation with your own. What skills do you share or appear to both desire to develop? Why are they important?
Format your homework according to the give formatting requirements:
• The answer must be using Times New Roman font (size 12), double spaced, typed, with one-inch margins on all sides.
• The response also includes a cover page containing the student's name, the title of the homework, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
• Also include a reference page. The references and Citations should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.