A study by Kenneth W. Thomas and Warren H. Schmidt revealed that managers spend 20% of their time dealing with conflict within the organization. Seeing the importance of conflict management as a vital skill among administrators in an educational institution, the Western Institute of Technology (WIT) invited Ms. Gerthrode Charlotte Tan-Mabilog, a faculty member of UP High School in Iloilo, Division of Professional Education, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) to enhance the skills of its leaders.
In a seminar-workshop titled “Work Ethics and Handling Employees” held last 26 July 2024 at WIT’s extensions campus, Mabilog spoke about the different levels of conflict, its sources, effects, and disadvantages. She also shared how communication problems or poor communication is often the root problem of many conflicts among employees.
To further elevate the appreciation of the participants of conflict management as a managerial skill, Mabilog discussed the concept’s aims and benefits when properly executed. To help them identify their conflict management styles, they were made to answer a short questionnaire highlighting their most dominant conflict management style. After completing the questionnaire, the participants computed their scores and were asked to share the results with the group.
Mabilog presented the main types of conflict management strategies developed by Thomas and Ralph KIlmann: avoidance, accommodation, competition, compromise, and collaboration. Each strategy was discussed thoroughly, including its advantages and disadvantages.
To conclude her seminar, Mabilog shared steps administrators can use in conflict management. She also gave general principles of conflict resolution to help them better plan dialogues with employees. Present during the seminar-workshop were Engr. Leanne Claire Marie S. Fernandez, Chair of the Council on Administrative Affairs; Sonia S. De la Cerna, School Vice President; deans of colleges; and administrators of various units. (With sources from Gerthrode Charlotte Tan-Mabilog)
