My conflict management style: controller versus accommodator

¶ … personal conflict style. This assessment is based upon scores received from the Conflict Management Style Survey. This essay will address several key issues related to management styles including my primary conflict management style and my least preferred style. The different types of conflict associated with my style will also be discussed to give some context to the application. The essay will conclude with ideas on how to successfully integrate and improve my style into a better and more functional management tool.

Test Results

The following data represent my test results: Collaborator: 20, Compromiser: 28, Accommodator: 18, Controller 30, Avoider: 24. The results of this test survey suggest that my preferred style is Controller and my least preferred is Accommodator.

When Controlling Works Best

While not one single approach is generally considered better than another, it is important that the right style is adopted by the person who can best utilize that style to reach objectives and goals. As a Controller certain qualities of this approach are very important. Controlling requires aggression and confidence in the situation. Controlling works best when the conflict is composed of weak individuals who cannot guide or lead themselves in a very appropriate manner.

Controlling as a conflict management approach works best when immediate results are needed and there is little time for arguing. Power is essential in this approach, and it is very important that the right quality and quantity of power is applied in order for this approach to work and have some high levels of success.

Another word for controlling is competing, and this is a good way to help describe when this style may be best applied. Rosa Parks standing up for her civil rights is an excellent example of how a controlling approach may be used to gain power in a situation and ultimately control of it. While controlling may be oftentimes associated with violence or disruption, this is not always the case. Voting and peaceful non-compliance are other more subtle ways of conflict management and can have profound effects on the situation at hand.

Improvement

For me it is best to use controlling or competing styles in most of my interactions. This style best suits my personality and temperament. Trying to become someone else is not something I am looking to accomplish. This does not mean I cannot find more opportunities to replace my controlling style with a more accommodating one. In instances that require long and stressful battles, perhaps it may be prudent to accommodate and give in to my enemies and let them win. By letting others win it can teach valuable lessons about humility and compassion.

Embracing dysfunction can be beneficial only for awhile and eventually health and order need to replace chaos in any interpersonal relationship. Knowing oneself and their tendencies is an invaluable method of helping those looking to apply their best strengths towards improving themselves and the lives of others.