Managing Resistance, Negativity, Anger, and Conflict

Chloe flock EDSP 432 HA1 Professor Navarette October 4, 2023 Managing Resistance, Negativity, Anger, and Conflict A) Situation Description: In a professional context, I once found myself in a team meeting where we were discussing a critical project deadline that was at risk due to unforeseen delays. There was a lot of tension and stress in the room because the project was crucial for the company's success, and several team members were feeling overwhelmed. During the meeting, one team member, let's call them John, started expressing frustration and anger, blaming another team member for the delays. How I Handled the Situation: Initially, I felt a surge of frustration and tension myself because I understood the importance of the project. However, I realized that adding more anger and negativity to the situation would only make things worse. So, I tried to deescalate the emotions by using active listening and empathy. I said something like, "I understand that we're all feeling the pressure, but let's try to focus on finding a solution rather than placing blame." I also encouraged John to share his concerns and ideas for how to get the project back on track. By doing this, I redirected the conversation from a blame game to a problem-solving mode. It helped diffuse the immediate tension in the room and allowed us to have a more productive discussion about potential solutions. B) Communication Strength and Weakness: Strength: Active Listening One of my communication strengths in difficult conversations is active listening. I make a conscious effort to listen to what others are saying, not just waiting for my turn to speak. This allows me to better understand their perspective, emotions, and concerns. In the described situation, my active listening helped me empathize with John's frustration and address it constructively. Weakness: Avoiding Confrontation One weakness I sometimes exhibit in difficult conversations is avoiding confrontation. While it can be beneficial to deescalate emotions, there are instances where I might avoid addressing important issues directly to maintain harmony. In the scenario I described, I focused on deescalating emotions but could have been more assertive in holding individuals accountable for their actions and responsibilities. Balancing empathy and assertiveness is an area where I'm continually working on improvement in challenging interactions.