Presentation to The 4 th Australasian Women and Policing Conference Workplace Conflict Management Workshops by Sergeant Maree Foelz Facilitator Positive Workplaces Program Queensland Police Service 1
AIM OF PRESENTATION To briefly outline the role of the Positive Workplaces Program. To outline the Aims and Purpose of the Workplace Conflict Management Workshops. 2
Positive Workplaces Program PRODUCTS AND SERVICES Research: TNA; other research Workshops: Workplace Conflict Management and Supportive Leadership Web Site: links to - legislation and policy, organisations, people, information, products, relevant internal programs, PWP newsletter, chat room Manager Support: follow up after workshops Workbooks: for all workshops Sub-projects: Similar training for Senior Constable / Field Training Officer levels; Web of Networks. 3
Deputy Commissioner Condor s Rationale and Parameters The Deputy Commissioner identified the following: Unnecessary escalation of conflict situations as a result of ineffective line management of issues This necessitated conflict management skills development, in performance management and HR contexts to minimise: harm to people s health, families and careers and damage to professional relationships and the morale of local workplaces. 4
PIVOTAL ROLE OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION Staff Movements and Duties Equity Behaviour Performance Conflict Resolution Personalities Other Supervision Matters 5
TRAINING NEEDS ANALYSIS 2258 representative responses Perceptions of drivers of conflict in the QPS include: 1. internal politics; 2. deficient leadership; 3. work pressure; 4. career issues; 5. resource management and 6. performance management issues 71%: conflict a problem in their workplace 66%: escalation due to poor conflict management Perceptions of managers responses to conflict include: 1. inconsistency; 2. avoidance; 3. reactivity; 4. fairness; 5. constructive actions; 6. solution oriented processes 6
TRAINING NEEDS ANALYSIS Preferred Conflict Management Principles 1. respect for people s need for justice through fair process, by: listening, empathy and negotiation 2. collaborative decision making and negotiated win-win problem solving 3. leadership through ethical standards and consistency between espoused values, words and actions 4. commitment to resolve workplace issues 7
WORKSHOP AIMS AND PURPOSE Aims Raise awareness about the impact of workplace conflict. Present relevant and practical strategies to deal with difficult situations and difficult people. Foster managerial responsibility to minimise conflict at the local level. Facilitate positive workplaces through the effective prevention and timely resolution of workplace conflict. Purpose Increase health and well being by contributing to the ability of managers to minimise the escalation of conflict. 8
CONTENT OF THE WORKSHOP Workshop based on TNA results, and relevant contemporary literature. Addresses the reasons why people Avoid and the use of Discretion. Highlights the role of Consistency as a conflict resolution mechanism for building respect, trust, integrity, credibility, authority and leadership. Compares Destructive verses Constructive Difficult Conversations. Provides processes whereby people can respect their own and others values and diversity. Reminds people of their best (their preferred self as a leader and manager) and provide tools to bring their best to the fore. 9
CONTRASTING MANAGERIAL ORIENTATIONS REVEALED BY TNA Managerial Behaviours and Actions that Foster a Conflict-Prone Environment Managerial Role Managerial Actions and Behaviours that Foster a Conflict-Resilient Environment Escalation Collateral Harm Damaged Environment Avoidance and/or Aggression Contrasting Orientations Appropriate Leadership Effective Management Relationship Building De-escalation Minimise Harm Protect Envt 10