introduction to conflict resolution

Instructions:

First, analyze your perceptions of the “

Who Do We Hire?

” conflict using TRIP. Be sure to answer the following questions in your analysis:

1. What is the Topic?
2. Relational concerns?
3. Identity and Procedural issues?
4. What are the dominant TRIP elements in this conflict?

Next, diagram the overlapping TRIP goals (p.90-93) for this conflict.

• Keep in mind that you may use more than one diagram to illustrate this conflict. For example, you may illustrate each party’s perspective of the conflict, like the example of the professor and the student (Figures 3.3 and 3.4). These examples illustrate that for each party, the paramount interests probably differ from those of another person in the same situation.
• Be sure to properly label your diagram (s). These diagrams can be easily created using options in WORD.

Last, analyze your perceptions of the conflict using RICE. Be sure to answer the following questions in your analysis:

• What roles do fear, threats, revenge, and physical aggression play throughout the conflict, if any?
• Who do you think has the most power? Explain.
• What sources (RICE) of power does each party have?
• What high/low power moves do you see in the conflict?

1

Rev S17

“Who Do We Hire?”

Dialogue

Participants: John, Jim (the Director), Laura, Karl, Keith and Celeste

Setting: Mental health center

Situation: An opening for a full-time therapist has been created by one of the

staff therapists quitting

Jim: We need to fill this position since Lee is leaving. I suggest we hire

Nikki full time. She’s done a great job as an intern, and the kids seem to

really like her. What do you think?

Keith: I agree. We should hire her.

Jim: Anyone else?

(Long silence)

John: Yeah, that’s okay with me.

Jim: Is there any discussion on this matter?

Laura: Yes. I don’t think we should hire Nikki without doing a search. She does

a good job, but we might be able to get someone even better.

Karl: I sort of feel that way, too.

Keith: I don’t think we could find anyone better. Besides, it could take months

to do it and we need the help right away, especially on the weekends.

Karl: Yeah, but that doesn’t mean we should hire just anyone.

Jim: Nikki’s not just anyone. Plus, we could lose the funding if we don’t hire

right away. I’ve talked to Nikki about it—I’m sure she’d take the position.

Keith: And if we don’t offer it to her, I think she’ll quit completely.

Laura: Sounds like you guys have already figured it out. Why are you even

asking us if you’ve made up your mind already?

Jim: There’s no “we” here, and I didn’t already make up my mind.

Celeste: I don’t think we should act so quickly. I’m not sure Nikki is all that

committed to her work. You say the kids like her, but personally, I think she

just likes having them do what she wants. She seems like a control freak to me.

She likes having the kids like her.

Jim: What is it with you, Celeste? You always disagree with what this group

wants to do. Everyone wants this but you. I’m tired of your constant

opposition. You should listen to what we’re saying.

2
Rev S17

Celeste: What is it with me? Why do you act like we’re making a group decision,

when you already made a decision and obviously got Keith and John to agree before

talking to the rest of us?

Jim: If you can’t be a team player, then maybe it’s you who needs to start

looking for a new job.

Instructions

First, analyze your perceptions of the “Who Do We Hire?” conflict using TRIP. Be sure to answer the following

questions in your analysis:

1. What is the Topic?

2. Relational concerns?

3. Identity and Procedural issues?

4. What are the dominant TRIP elements in this conflict?

Next, diagram the overlapping TRIP goals (p.86-89) for this conflict.

a. Keep in mind that you may use more than one diagram to illustrate this conflict. For example, you may
illustrate each party’s perspective of the conflict, like the example of the professor and the student (on p.
87; figure 3.3 and 3.4). This example “illustrates that for each party, the paramount interests probably differ
from those of another person in the same situation” (Wilmot & Hocker, p. 87).

b. Be sure to properly label your diagram (s). These diagrams can be easily created using options in WORD.

Last, analyze your perceptions of the conflict using RICE. Be sure to answer the following questions in your analysis:

a. What roles do fear, threats, revenge, and physical aggression play throughout the conflict, if any?
b. Who do you think has the most power? Explain.
c. What sources (RICE) of power does each party have?
d. What high/low power moves do you see in the conflict?