Course Project
MGMT570 – Managing Conflict in Workplace
Professor
September 2012

Introduction

I. Work Environment A. History of Bayou Sorrel Lock B. What we do and how.
II. Background A. What is the conflict and how did it begin? 1. What parties are involved? a. What are their conflict handling styles? 2. Factors contributing to conflict a. Different cultures b. Communication failure B. What has been done to mitigate the conflict? i.i. What conflict handling modes have been utilized? i.ii. Which mode was most effective/ ineffective?
III. Recommendations …show more content…

I have even witnessed the on watch crew leave a boat locked in the locking mechanism for up to 1 hour because they wanted to make sure their relief did not show up while the boat was going thru, thereby delaying their turnover time. These actions create a hostile atmosphere between the boats that travel thru here and the shift workers. I think the problems which need to be addressed are workplace etiquette, proper communication procedures and an improvement in customer service skills. I think these problems are present within this organization because the employees here have no sense of urgency and feel as though they are for some reason, “better” than the customers who utilize the locks. This company has recently undergone a change in Leadership, due to a change in senior management. Hopefully this change in leadership will lead to increased operational efficiency, increased production, a higher level of morale, and an improvement in the work place environment. I recently read an article that said, “Leadership is less about your needs, and more about the needs of the people and the organization you are leading. Leadership styles are not something to be tried on like so many suits, to see which fits. Rather, they should be adapted to the particular demands of the situation, the particular requirements of the people involved and the particular challenges facing the organization” (Alan Murray, 2010). I agree with this statement, because leadership