Module 5 :: Dealing with Conflict

Conflict and the School Leader: Novice or Expert

http://www2.education.uiowa.edu/archives/jrel/spring03/Johnson_0204.htm

This article contains valuable insights into how principals can look at their own behavior and determine whether they are unwittingly adding fuel to the fire of conflict. From the abstract: "School principals devote a significant portion of their time to dealing with conflict. Principals who look for the sources of these conflicts may find that many of them reside in the principal’s own interpersonal behaviors, which may be products of their leadership skills. Four important leadership variables related to the amount of conflict are conflict response styles, problem solving, communicator styles, and bases of social power."

5 Keys to Dealing with Workplace Conflict

http://www.forbes.com/sites/mikemyatt/2012/02/22/5-keys-to-dealing-with-workplace-conflict/
Right off the bat I'm not sure I agree with the author's statement: "Here's the thing: leadership and conflict go hand-in-hand." Initially I dismissed his ideas as overly confrontational and aggressive (he starts with the sports metaphor  leadership is a "full contact sport" egad...) But then he goes on to make some very valid points about the necessity of dealing with conflict rather than ignoring it. I wonder if there is a very different slant to this article because it's a Forbes piece written primarily for private sector managers? Still, much to mull over here for principals. The next article by Ken Leithwood and Michael Fullan couldn't be more different...

In Conversation: 21st Century Leadership Moving Forward

http://www.michaelfullan.ca/media/13557615570.pdf
"When it comes to deep divisions, resolution and empathy must be combined if change is to occur.” Fullan 2011
This article is lengthy and covers a great deal of ground, but a considerable portion deals with relationships and learning through conflict. Fullan and Leithwood purport that impressive empathy is having compassion for people who disagree with you. They might be angry or obstructionist but your ability as a leader to understand where their point of view is coming from is truly impressive. It’s easy to empathize with those who agree with us. It’s difficult (hence the “impressive” part) to really acknowledge and understand (but not necessarily agree) with those whose views differ from our own. An angry parent isn’t likely angry just to make my day as a principal miserable. They have a concern about their child. They might be experiencing anxiety, guilt, frustration etc and by empathizing with them through the conflict I can learn about them and their student and build trust.