Conflict Management in the Corps

As an outfit Commander in the Corps of Cadets I run into conflict on a daily, if not hourly basis. I am constantly practicing many of the concepts we learn in class and putting them to the test. The concepts that hit home with me from these first chapters were the escalation and avoidance types of conflict. I have seen many times how the way you conduct your conflict management greatly effects the way the other person reacts and how your relationship continues after the fact. I will give examples of both types of conflict, but first I will clarify their ideas by defining them "Escalation Conflict is the increasing emotional intensity and multiple stages in which the scope and intensity of the conflict increase over time" and "Avoidance Conflict is when parties may sometimes fear the consequences of open conflict so much that they refuse to acknowledge the conflict and avoid anything that might spark confrontation". For example, as outfit commander I am in charge of the livelihood, well being, and daily functioning of 50 cadets. All of whom have very different goals and personalities, so as you can imagine sometimes it is hard to get through to everyone effectively. There is one cadet in particular that I have never and probably will never get through to. She is the most irrational and confrontational individual. She loves being in escalatory conflicts, odd I know, but she enjoys getting into arguments. She will start out understanding where you are coming from the first time you correct her, then the next time she will give you resistance, the next she exhibits passive aggressive behaviors, until finally she explodes and starts a full on war. Unfortunately due to this vicious cycle we are no longer friends, though we still work together. Other people that have to deal with her tend to use the avoidance side of this conflict theory. They know if they try and confront her or speak with her they will blow up on her, not be responsive to reason, and be straight up unreasonable, so they choose to forget the issue. For them it is not worth the argument and reaction that will ensue so they avoid her all together. These days this individual is hanging on by a thread. She has burned many of the bridges she built with her reactions to conflict and can no longer function in a professional manner. There are many things I enjoy about my job, learning first hand the lessons of conflict management is a big part of that.