Black Leadership Training

Group Dynamics& Managing Conflict

David SurrattAssociate Dean of Students &Interim Dean of Students

Black Leadership Training

GoalsParticipants will:• Be able to define ‘conflict’• Be able to identify styles of

handling conflict• Be able to understand steps to

resolving conflict• Be able to define ‘trust’• Understand the phases of group

development• Learn how to assess effectiveness

of group development

Black Leadership Training

Trust and Teams/Groups• Trust is “a willingness to put oneself at risk within a

specific context.”

• To be “trustworthy,” indicates one has characteristics that merit another’s trust:

Competence Benevolence

Integrity

Black Leadership Training

What behaviors erode ‘trust’ within a group? (exercise)

Competence - one has the capacity to complete the desired task.

Benevolence - one cares about my needs and will act in my best interests.

Integrity - the person is honest and keeps his or her commitments

Black Leadership Training

What behaviors erode ‘trust’ within a group? (responses)1. ....

Black Leadership Training

Phases of Group Development (Tuckman, B., 1965)

Black Leadership Training

PHASE GROUP TASK EVIDENCE OF FAILUREFORMING Define purpose, roles,

and objectives. Group lacks focus;Attends to wrong things;Conflict over objectives

STORMING Competition for ideas;Determine & accept roles

Not completing tasks;Conflict within group;Confusion over roles

NORMING Ease into roles and ground rules;Development of trust;Agenda setting

Poor standards;High frequency of conflict within group; No compromises made

PERFORMING Comfort in assigned roles;Autonomous;Dissent expected &Encouraged;

Poor performance continues; Conflicts go unresolved; Sense that grades unfair

Black Leadership Training

What is ‘Conflict’• A serious disagreement or argument• Conflict is inevitable in groups. • Conflicts usually result from differences in personality,

values, perceptions, or communication breakdown.• Not all conflict is negative but when conflict arises you

must name it and know how to address it.

Common Characteristics of Negative & Positive Conflict

Friendly attitude Trust Open, honest

communication Sensitivity to similarities Non-threatening

atmosphere for all

involved

Distrust Defensiveness Hostility Lack of communication Maximized differences General competitiveness

POSITIVE CHARACTERISTICS NEGATIVE CHARACTERISTICS

Black Leadership Training

Styles of Conflict Resolution

Compromise

Build Relationship

Weaken Relationship

Accommodate

Avoid

Collaborate

Compete

Black Leadership Training

What is your typical style of conflict resolution?

1. Accommodating

2. Avoiding

3. Compromising

4. Collaborating

5. Competing

Black Leadership Training

Resolving Group Conflict

1. Identify the problem2. Define the problem based on individual/group needs3. Expect a commitment4. Develop alternative ideas and suggestions. No discussion,

acceptance, rejection, or judgment!5. Evaluate alternatives discussing pros/cons; eliminate

unacceptable alternatives and encourage honesty of expression

6. Decide on the best solution7. Implement the solution8. Evaluate the solution

Black Leadership Training

Resolving Conflict (exercise)

Black Leadership Training

Synopsis• Develop your teams and groups and watch for

warning signs (Form, storm, norm, & perform)• Emphasize and support TRUST and be

TRUSTWORTHY (Competence, Benevolence, & Integrity)

• Trust helps weather inevitable conflict• Understand and practice mediation of conflict

“If you want to go fast, go alone; If you want to go far, go together.” - African Proverb

Black Leadership Training

Questions/Comments

Contact: David Surrattdsurratt@berkeley.edu@DeanSurratt510.642.6741