If you haven't already, you will most likely be involved in some form of workplace conflict on the job. If not at your current workplace, in the future, and many times over. Different personalities, in one location, at one time, equal conflict. And the solution is conflict resolution. Resolving conflict is something learned through experience but if you know conflict will eventually occur and you know how to react when it does, there will be a much better result. Once you are able to resolve your own conflicts on the job and help others to do the same, your employers will see what a valuable employee you are!

Go to the following link where a professor from the University of Pennsylvania has put together some rules on how to fight fair. These rules also apply to personal relationships, but for this activity, keep in mind your workplace.

Complete the following assignment:

Write True or False for the following statements about fighting fair:

1. _____ The goal of any fight is to win.

2. _____ Compromise is the most important ability in conflict resolution.

3. _____ You should not get in the middle of a fight you don't belong in.

4. _____ A sense of humor is not important.

5. _____ Everyone says things they don't mean occasionally.

6. Use the outline of Problem Solving and go through the first three of the eight steps to resolve the following workplace conflict.

There is a male employee who is overly friendly to all the other employees. He is always standing too close and saying sarcastic things about how others are doing their job. He gets worse when you tell him to stop. He works all the time and everyone is dreading working with him. He does his job and does not seem to get on the boss's nerves.

1. Define the Problem
   What is the problem?

    

2. Express facts and feelings regarding the problem.-Constructive criticism
   How do you feel about the problem?

    

3. List 2 possible solutions. -Be Creative
    
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7. Go to the Learning Peace on resolving conflict and list the 6 essential steps to achieve a win-win situation when resolving conflict:

   Step 1:
    Step 2:
    Step 3:
    Step 4:
    Step 5:
    Step 6:
 

8. Why is it important to "cool off"?
 

9. List a time when you had a conflict at work. If you haven't, write about someone else at work who has.

10. How was the conflict dealt with?