Introduction To Conflict Resolution

1 Rev S17

“Who Do We Hire?”

Dialogue

Participants: John, Jim (the Director), Laura, Karl, Keith and Celeste

Setting: Mental health center

Situation: An opening for a full-time therapist has been created by one of the

staff therapists quitting

Jim: We need to fill this position since Lee is leaving. I suggest we hire

Nikki full time. She’s done a great job as an intern, and the kids seem to

really like her. What do you think?

 

Keith: I agree. We should hire her.

 

Jim: Anyone else?

 

(Long silence)

 

John: Yeah, that’s okay with me.

 

Jim: Is there any discussion on this matter?

 

Laura: Yes. I don’t think we should hire Nikki without doing a search. She does

a good job, but we might be able to get someone even better.

 

Karl: I sort of feel that way, too.

 

Keith: I don’t think we could find anyone better. Besides, it could take months

to do it and we need the help right away, especially on the weekends.

 

Karl: Yeah, but that doesn’t mean we should hire just anyone.

 

Jim: Nikki’s not just anyone. Plus, we could lose the funding if we don’t hire

right away. I’ve talked to Nikki about it—I’m sure she’d take the position.

 

Keith: And if we don’t offer it to her, I think she’ll quit completely.

 

Laura: Sounds like you guys have already figured it out. Why are you even

asking us if you’ve made up your mind already?

 

Jim: There’s no “we” here, and I didn’t already make up my mind.

 

Celeste: I don’t think we should act so quickly. I’m not sure Nikki is all that

committed to her work. You say the kids like her, but personally, I think she

just likes having them do what she wants. She seems like a control freak to me.

She likes having the kids like her.

 

Jim: What is it with you, Celeste? You always disagree with what this group

wants to do. Everyone wants this but you. I’m tired of your constant

opposition. You should listen to what we’re saying.

 

 

 

2 Rev S17

Celeste: What is it with me? Why do you act like we’re making a group decision,

when you already made a decision and obviously got Keith and John to agree before

talking to the rest of us?

 

Jim: If you can’t be a team player, then maybe it’s you who needs to start

looking for a new job.

 

Instructions Analyze the conflict: “Who Do We Hire?”

First, write a background about the nature of the conflict, using the following questions:

a. What is the conflict about? When did the conflict start? What caused it? b. Was it a series of events or one event? What was the trigger event(s)? c. When did the conflict originate? Why did it occur? d. Use a metaphor to describe your conflict.

Next, analyze your perceptions of each element of the conflict, using the following questions:

a. Expressed struggle: How has the conflict been expressed? What was the trigger event? b. Interdependent parties: What binds the parties together? In what ways each party needs the other? c. Perceived incompatible goals: What are the parties not getting? d. Perceived scarce resources: Examples include time, money, affection, inclusion, oil, land, or other natural

resources, etc. e. Perceived interference to achieve goals: In what ways each party is interfering with the other’s goals?

 

In your analysis, you must incorporate ideas, concepts, and theory from the chapter(s) to support your thoughts,

answers, and/or rationales. This way, you can demonstrate your understanding of the readings and key concepts.