Project Guidelines and Rubric IDS 105 Project Guidelines and RubricCompetencies In this project, you will demonstrate your mastery of the following competencies: Describe the factors that influence on
Communication Strategies to Navigate Conflict
Najee Alun-Frazier
Institutional Affiliation
June 4, 2024
Communication Strategies to Navigate Conflict
Components of the Conflict
The issue in this scenario lies in the difficulties of cooperating with a coworker who is in another time zone. You are located in the United States, while your partner is situated in India, which is 10. 5 hours ahead. Such a significant difference in hours leads to problems of time coordination when it comes to having meetings and organizing work. In turn, crucial dates are not met, which causes stress and conflict with the coworker.
Interpersonal Communication Strategies
There are several interpersonal communication strategies that can be used to deal with conflicts, such as the one described above. This is an effective strategy as it ensures that both the speaker and the listener have a clear understanding of each other (Berger et al., 2019). Misunderstandings can also be cleared up by speaking with people, being upfront, and telling them the truth. Moreover, it is necessary to have empathy; if you are aware of what your colleague is going through, it fosters respect. Some key areas to consider include setting clear and consistent communication protocols like updates and feedback.
Chosen Communication Strategy
In this case, the blend of synchronous and asynchronous communication would be a proper course of action. This approach involves synchronous methods such as video calls for important discussions where both parties are likely to be available. For daily follow-ups and activities that do not necessitate immediate response, synchronous communication tools such as email, project management platforms, and shared documents can be employed. This approach is selected because it acknowledges the time zone differences but does not allow the communication to be unproductive or the deadline to be missed.
Potential Challenges of Communication
The main issues in this case include the problems of coordinating schedules for synchronous communication, time lag in communication when using the asynchronous approach, and cultural barriers that might affect the methods of communication in an organization. Also, there may be technical challenges like connectivity hitches that cause inconveniences, such as the postponement of set meetings.
Benefits and Challenges of Using Restorative Practices
Coping with this conflict is possible through the use of restorative justice, which includes mediation and finding collaborative solutions. These practices involve the restoration of affected relations and the search for compromise solutions (Barsky, 2016). The advantages are enhanced cooperative organizational culture, better perception and appreciation of employees, and the achievement of a durable resolution of the confrontation. Some limitations include the amount of time needed to utilize the restorative practices and the willingness of both parties involved. There might also be differences across cultures regarding conflict-solving strategies, which would have to be dealt with as well.
References
Barsky, A. (2016). Conflict resolution for the helping professions: Negotiation, mediation, advocacy, facilitation, and restorative justice. Oxford University Press.
Berger, C. R., & Roloff, M. E. (2019). Interpersonal communication. In An integrated approach to communication theory and research (pp. 277-292). Routledge.
