Case Incident – “Working at ThinkLink” Essay Example

team members is fertile ground for conflict. Add what appears to be nondirective leadership and there is a big problem. The intensity of the conflict is hard to gauge since we hear it only from the newest team member, but it does seem to be dysfunctional in that it is interfering with the task accomplishment of the group. This particular team appears highly diverse and highly participative—all elements that add to the potential for conflict.

2. What techniques or procedures might help reduce conflict on cross-functional teams? Answer – It seems that one key is to clarify intentions. This group’s conflict, especially from Mallory’s perspective, may be largely a function of the attributing the wrong intentions to the other. When it comes to reducing conflict, it seems that one of the best ways would be for Mallory to adapt a collaborating perspective, where she desires to fully satisfy the concerns of all parties. The intention of the parties is to solve the problem by clarifying differences rather than by accommodating various points of view. Also see Exhibit 14-4 for the major resolution and stimulation techniques that managers can use to control conflict.

3. If you were Mallory, is there anything you could do to lessen the conflict on the core project? Elaborate. Answer – This may be tough for students to answer, as they may say, “Well, I’m not the boss. What can I do?” Help students think about what behaviors they can model and what suggestions they can make to Chin to move the group toward resolution. Mallory (students) may also need to refer to earlier material that explains how in the

development of a group they will become much more productive as time expires and they get closer to their deadline.