Problem Solving and Conflict Resolution

Introduction:
Our Cultural Backgrounds What is a Problem? What is Conflict? Conflict Management and Communication Conflict Resolution in an intercultural workspace

Lyneeta: Fijian Indian

Meghan: South African

Callie: South Korean

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Jane: Chinese

Christopher: Pakeha

Our Cultural Backgrounds

Eastern Perspective
Chinese Korean Indian

Western Perspective
Kiwi South African

What is a Problem?

Problem
Problems are anything that is destructive to the goal that is to be achieved

How do different cultures define problems?

What is Conflict?

Conflicts
When problems involve disagreements among people

Conflict
A clash between people or between ideas that engages people in a struggle against each other.

Where does Conflict come from?

What task and How?

Resource use

Why?

Who?

How is conflict characterised?

TASK CONFLICT

RELATIONSHIP CONFLICT

Western

A New Zealand Example

TASK CONFLICT

RELATIONSHIP CONFLICT

Eastern

For example

Different Perspectives on Conflict Eastern Western

Division into Division is not as task and important relationship Conflict is more conflict a more readily discussed important division Task and relationship Less talked about conflict are more in the open integrated and
visible

Conflict Management and Communication

Conflict Management
A Western notion Objectified People Problems

Conflict Management
A Western notion Objectified People Problems

Conflict Management Styles

Competitive Collaborating Compromising Avoiding Accommodating

Conflict Management Styles

Competing: Your goals > Others Collaborating: Your goals = Others Compromising: Your Goal & Theirs Avoiding: Talk about something else Accommodating: Their Goal > Yours

Conflict Management Styles

Western Competitive Eastern Compromising Avoiding Accommodating

Conflict Communication Styles

Obliging Integrating Bargaining Avoiding Dominating Emotion Expressing Third-party intervention Neglecting

Conflict Communication Styles

Western Dominating Eastern Obliging Avoiding Third-party intervention

Conflict Management and Communication Styles

Western

Competing and Dominating

Western Your goals rank above those of others Related to communication style of dominating Use emotive expressing communication style

Eastern

Compromising and Avoiding

Avoiding
Main Mode in Eastern Cultures Refusing to talk about conflict at all Parties hold back from openly perusing their goals Lack of communication

Compromising
Settling for less and making others do so too Expecting both parties/ people giving up something voluntary until a final resolution is reached Bargaining and third party intervention

Accommodating
Non Individualistic Abandoning your own goals and allowing for the other parties goals. More valued in Eastern Cultures as create indebtedness to be repaid Obliging

Conflict Resolution in an intercultural workspace

Conflict Resolution in an Intercultural work Space

Intercultural work spaces contain many cultures and thus different values Different conflict managing modes and communication styles can cause conflict

Collaboration
Western and Eastern- Middle ground, but not first choice showing high concern for the others goal while being assertive about ones own Seeing a common goal and placing personal issues aside Individualistic approach keeping ones own goals firm while accommodating others goals Integrating conflict communication Style

Resolving conflict in an International work space

Obtain a cultural awareness Listen Express agreement were possible Identify common goals

Resolving conflict in an International work space

Listen
Avoid projective cognitive similarity An attitude of Interest Avoid prejudice judgements Think before replying

Express agreement where possible

Allows the other position to know their position is understandable and legitimate However you must be genuine Encourage good will

Resolving conflict in an International work space

Explain your position
State your concerns without being argumentative and persuasive

Identify Common goals

Agreeing upon common goals so both parties can agree to work to achieve them

Conclusion:
Eastern and Western cultures have different definitions of problems and Conflicts. Conflict is when there are issues between people is when a person/ group feels a threat to their needs, interests or concerns Eastern cultures used avoiding and collaboration conflict modes and bargaining and third party intervention communication styles Western cultures use Competing conflict modes and dominant communication style