25 Supporting your Executive Team
REQUIRED READING
As the President, you may be faced with situations between other executive team members where you may require conflict mediation and support with conflict resolution practices. Watch the brief video below for tips on how to effectively support your team, and the process for conflict resolution.
Conflict Management Skills
Active Listening is a communication skill that involves actively paying attention to hear and understand the words that another person is saying and how they are feeling. It is important to focus on what they are saying, and not shift the focus on how you intend to respond.
Conflict Management Tools such as understanding the different ways in which people deal with conflict, as well as understanding your own personal style of conflict management.
Problem Solving is coming to a mutual conclusion on how to move forward. This will be situational and may require support from yourself to initiate.
Giving Effective Feedback involves providing specific examples that can be clearly understood and actioned. Using “I language” and focusing on the behaviour rather than the person, will provide more impactful help and less harmful advice. Consider your timing when providing feedback as well. Feedback is best received when the receiver has provided you an opportunity to present them with the feedback, rather than being imposed on them. Always allow space and time for the receiver to ask follow up questions to assist in their understanding.
Steps in Resolving Conflict
As outlined in the video above, the process for resolving conflict is as follows:
Step 1: One on One Meeting
All primary parties directly involved with the conflict should first meet to discuss their perspectives and related feelings of conflict. Open, honest and respectful communication is key to the process.
Step 2: Mediated Discussion via President
If not resolved in Step 1:
The President should meet with the parties directly involved as a neutral party to hear the same concerns and offer suggestions on how to move forward. You should notify the Student Life Assistant regarding the situation if you reach this stage. Please remember that respect and confidentiality needs to be sustained throughout this process.
Step 2: Mediated Discussion via Student Life
If not resolved in Step 1 and the President is involved:
Connect with your Student Life Assistant to have them involved as a neutral third party to help mediate the discussion between the parties involved in the conflict.
Step 3: Committee
If still not resolved through the prior steps:
The issue will be handed over to an informal committee comprised of a Student Life staff member, selected members of the Students’ Council and the SA Advisor. Within this committee, a final resolution will be reached.
Further details around this process can be reviewed in the Conflict Management Procedure document on Sharepoint.