Conflict Resolution Styles … So, Which Shade of Orange Are You?
January 27, 2013
During a recent team building training at my workplace, I heard a great story about internal conflict resolution styles and how these affect the end result.
Two employees, Chris from sales and Ana from professional services, both want the last remaining orange in the break room. A seemingly reasonable solution would be to compromise and split the orange in half. That makes perfect sense, right?
Let’s assume that’s what they do. Problem solved. Well, not quite. Later, we learn Chris actually wanted the juice from the orange to make a special drink for the sales team, while Ana wanted the rind of the orange to use as an ingredient for a cake she planned to bake for the professional services team.
Had they discussed their respective needs and worked together collaboratively, each could have had the equivalent of a whole orange. The situation was initially perceived as a conflict by the parties involved, while it was actually complimentary.
The lesson learned from the ‘orange conflict’ can easily be applied to a plethora of conflicts that arise in any workplace. Collaboration is not always the best conflict resolution style.
Furthermore, one shouldn’t expect each person to resolve a conflict in the same manner. According to the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI), based on an individual’s tendency to be assertive or cooperative, their conflict resolution style will vary between one of the following five standard modes: competing, collaborating, compromising, avoiding and accommodating.
If Chris is extremely competitive and Ana overly avoiding, the whole orange ends up in Chris’s hands. Such an outcome can potentially harm their working relationship because Ana could lose trust in working with Chris.
So what is the real takeaway here? It is important to be aware of the five conflict resolution styles so you can identify when it is appropriate to apply one or the other to a conflict in order to reach the most desirable result.
Additionally, learning which conflict resolution style you tend to favor will help you find the areas where you can improve on your conflict resolution skills. Each of the five styles represent practical social skills you can use effectively when working with one or more people to resolve a work conflict. Next time you run into a workplace conflict, ask yourself - “What can I contribute best to the team through my five shades of orange?”
Partner Voices
Overview:
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality.
In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
“We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.”
Amenities:
The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.
The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience
The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need.
Gold Key Members
The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events.
OCCC Events:
This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.
The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:
AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023
200,000 Attendees
$257 Million in Economic Impact
MEGACON 2023
160,000 Attendees
$205 Million in Economic Impact
Open Championship Series 2023
69,500 Attendees
$89 Million in Economic Impact
Sunshine Classic 2023
42,000 Attendees
$54 Million in Economic Impact
Premiere Orlando 2023
42,000 Attendees
$108 Million in Economic Impact
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