Group Theory
Unit 8, Journal 2 – Managing Conflict

See also the section on Conflict as a Mutual Problem, pages 372-385

Describe a situation from your life for each of the following 4 scenarios that demonstrates the difference between the following: 1. Issues versus Personalities
One instance that I can recall pertaining to this scenario is while on active duty deployment to Spain I was given a task with zero specific direction on how to accomplish said task. Now to explain why this is important, the task could have been accomplish 3 different ways, the easy way which took less time and people to accomplish, the in between area which is easy but takes a little more time because you pay a little more attention to certain tasks, and the best way, which isn’t ideal because we didn’t have the number of people required, the amount of equipment needed or the extra materials needed. The work being done was necessary but repairing it vs destruction and construction of a new one was less costly and more logical. The chief was having a bad day so when I asked him he just screamed “Work with what you got!” So did the less costly method and repaired the structure. Chief decided it was the wrong way and when I asked him why he didn’t tell me that in the beginning he wrote me up for insubordination. Chiefs personality interfered with his ability to give me accurate operational orders causing me to do the task the proper way but not exactly how he wanted.

2. Interests versus Positions
While on deployment to Iraq we were given a job that was expected to take 4 weeks, running past our 3 day weekend(which is a huge deal in Iraq) ultimately taking away our free days to complete the task. The crew knew they could finish the job faster by cutting certain corners. The leadership wanted this specific job to be used as a “Display” for the visiting Commander. They wanted to add stuff and add time and take away extra days from us because they wanted it to be perfect. Ultimately we lost one of our free days but still finished a week ahead of schedule so we got the lost day back!

3. Options versus Proposals

One occasion I recall where we used this would be while stationed in Washington D.C. a sister unit stationed 40 miles away needed help completing their new workshop. They proposed our assistance in return for an agreed “free Friday bbq” meaning civilian clothes, free food and beverages, and most times give away and games. So we gave them 10 people for a week and in return we had a great Friday off day/bbq.

4. Standards versus Power

While on watch I was approached by a female sailor, she asked for me to intervene between a intoxicated senior ranking male and her roommate. The roommate was uncomfortable with the intoxicated male’s sexual approaches and asked me quietly to have him leave calmly. I being in uniform on watch was well within my rights of a watch stander to asking the higher ranking individual to leave. I approach the man and introduced myself as petty officer of the watch O’Donnell. I informed him that I was asked to have him leave the area of the room. I informed him that he should go to bed it was late, he was drunk, and he didn’t want to get in trouble. He tried to pull rank on me and when I informed him that he was not in a position of authority at the moment and I was, his rank was outweighed by my position on watch. He then threatened me and advanced on me, I stepped back with my light in my hand and told him if he put his hands on me id put him down. I then informed him that my partner has contacted the Chef on Duty and at that time a friend of his who was higher ranking than both of us approached and offered to bring the sailor to his room. The situation was settled no one was injured and eventually said sailor ended up in trouble anyways.