South students gathered Sept. 22 to acquire better knowledge on different ways they can address conflict when it comes to any type of group work.
Group work is a form of cooperative learning. It’s also a way students can develop different leadership traits. During this workshop, students learned broader styles and approaches when dealing with conflict.
Adrian Jackson, publications manager, said thinking creatively about a way people can cooperate rather than clash is a good idea.
“Knowing when to walk away is a good action point,” she said.
Using body language for control is a good way to let people know you have the room’s attention.
“Clapping, space invading, pointing and calling out are good key points,” she said.
Jackson then illustrated the actions with a student.
Some people create more problems through the “winner’s curse” when they let someone or others dominate the group, Jackson said.
She said one can avoid the winner’s curse by carefully pacing negotiation with each teammate.
Another negotiation method is “editing the script” or guiding the conversation to a more positive end. Editing the script helps people see their situation in a different light, Jackson said.
“There are many different ways of approaching conflict,” she said. “You learn in a much broader way the kind of styles and elements you need.”
— Lariza Moreno
