Conflict Management: Aggie Edition

Corrina Benavides
March 6, 2016

Big Al was talking with a group of his fellow students at Texas A&M University. Reveille, the most inclusive and high-spirited member of the group, asked Big Al to come to the monthly Silver Taps that night. He declined stating that he had a test to study for later in the week. Reveille stated that it was an important aggie tradition and something that sets the university apart from others. Big Al yet again declined. Reveille again pointed out that he doesn't manage his time well in general, and that this is a reasonable excuse to not study for 30 minutes unlike when he had gone to play video games earlier in the day. Big Al conceded but reminded the group that he'd still be missing valuable study time and that this test was a huge part of his overall grade.

Big Al employed the accommodation conflict style in the example. More specifically, he conceded. He still went along with his group of fellow students to the event, but still reminded them that he was going out of his way and losing 30 minutes of study time for them.

Accommodation is one of the more popular ways to handle a conflict, yet it still has its faults and can cause resentment. More importantly, it can also effect an individual's image. The most recommended and effective method of conflict management is collaborative. According to a leadership study conducted by Weng-Long Chang and Chun-Yi Lee , the collaborative style "promoted superior performance and more effective learning." It also is the most commonly used method in business courses because it functions by "identifying solutions capable of satisfying all of the parties involved." All conflict styles have situations in which they are necessary and it doesn't necessarily mean to avoid one all together.


Source:Chang, Wen-Long, and Chun-Yi Lee. "Virtual Team E-Leadership: The Effects Of Leadership Style And Conflict Management Mode On The Online Learning Performance Of Students In A Business-Planning Course." British Journal Of Educational Technology 44.6 (2013): 986-999. ERIC. Web. 7 Mar. 2016.