Interpersonal conflicts can happen anywhere and anytime as long as there are interactions between two or more parties. More often than not, interpersonal conflicts occur as a result of different interests, beliefs and personalities of various parties.
I had the opportunity to work at my alma mater as a Teaching Assistant (TA) while I was waiting for University to start. It was a good opportunity to gain an insight to the teaching career and at the same time, contribute back to the school.
Basically, my job scope would entail relieving classes for teachers who were absent on that day, preparation of teaching materials and handling of some administrative work with regards to the school curriculum. However, at times, I may be tasked to accompany exchange students on excursions or to do some preparation work for the activities for the exchange students.
There came a period where there were many inbound exchange programmes. The coordinator for the exchange programmes then tasked me with accompanying quite a few groups of students in a day till my schedule was almost fully packed. At this point in time, I felt the need to tell the coordinator that I am not able to accompany the groups as I had to stand-in for lessons (assigned at the last minute) and continue the tasks assigned by my supervisor. (just some information for a better understanding of the situation: accompanying exchange students was not a main part of my job scope and my supervisor only instructed me to help out if I had the time).
There were many thoughts that were running through my mind at that point in time. Firstly, I really wanted to help as I wanted to showcase and promote my school to the exchange students as I felt really proud to be part of the school. Secondly, I had to reject the coordinator, but how was I suppose to do that when I had already agreed to help but could not do so at the last minute. At last, I went up to the coordinator and explained to her my situation. She was rather displeased at first but just told me to keep to my promises in the future.
Upon hearing that, I had mixed feelings - happy that I finally managed to resolve the issue but sad that she did not take into consideration my difficulties while I rejected her.
I believe that the above case is a good example of a typical conflict in a workplace -- being sandwiched in between two parties. On one hand, I did not want to reject the coordinator, however, on the other hand, I had obligations by my supervisor to be fulfilled. It will not be pleasant if I had brought the matter up to my supervisor which would result in a deeper and uncalled misunderstanding between them and affecting work relations in the future.
I believe that I was partly at fault to commit to helping out with the exchange in the first place. However, I was also hoping that the coordinator was able to consider my difficulties for not being able to help her. But that being said, I do understand her reasons for feeling displeased as she was tight on manpower and there were a lot of exchange groups to be hosted. On hindsight, an alternative way of handling the situation would be to seek permission from my supervisor to help host the exchange students. In this way, there will be a common consensus between all parties and it will reduce the chances of a conflict.
To sum it up, interpersonal conflicts are inevitable and they can occur as a result of a small issue. Interpersonal conflicts in workplace and life are part and parcel of growing up. Through the process of resolving conflicts, both parties will be able to grow and gain a better understanding of each other.
Do you have any instances when you were sandwiched in between two parties? How did you manage them?
