After completing the conflict resolution questionnaire, there were interesting findings but ones I  already knew about myself, so it wasn’t relatively new information. 

The results are as follows: 

Style I – 10 , Style II – 4 , Style III – 6 , Style IV – 7 , Style V – 13

What is your predominant approach to managing conflict? 

So I am predominantly Style V which states “Your strategy is honesty and openness. You value both relationships and goals and look for a way to work with your opponent for a solution that is honest and satisfactory for both sides.”

I do feel I resonate with Style I as well. It states “You tend to avoid conflict at all costs. While in some situations, this may be a wise thing to do, there are things that are worth fighting for. Your fear of confrontation and unwillingness to deal with problems may cause you to abdicate from your personal goals and, as weird as it sounds, undermine your relationships with others.”

Does this match to how you think of yourself? 

Upon reflection of some conflict that I was having last year, I now understand, that I am a person to give someone three attempts and then I am done. I am a pretty quiet person and generally, I will put up with things but once I have had enough, I will avoid that person. As I was on the receiving end of conflict, I was made out to be the bad person, I am not sure how I would go when I have to deal with conflict when it involves others. 

What areas do you think you need to develop? 

Communication. I often become nervous when speaking to those in authority. I get muddled or can not explain myself very well. I am worried about having to advocate for the library when other leadership may have their own ideas or vision. How do I communicate without coming across as abrupt? And when I have conflict with other staff, who can I address that without feeling like a doormat, and putting up with others behaviours that may not align with my own? 

Some interesting leadership changes to ponder and develop. 

Psychologia. (2013). What’s your conflict resolution strategy?  https://psychologia.co/conflict-resolution/