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Managing Conflict in Group Dynamics

The document reflects on managing conflict and power dynamics within a group, highlighting tensions between members and the misuse of power by individuals like Danika and Noah. It emphasizes the importance of inclusivity and emergent leadership, suggesting that effective leadership should prioritize group needs over authority. The collaborating conflict-handling style is recommended to enhance group dynamics and foster mutual problem-solving.

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4 views3 pages

Managing Conflict in Group Dynamics

The document reflects on managing conflict and power dynamics within a group, highlighting tensions between members and the misuse of power by individuals like Danika and Noah. It emphasizes the importance of inclusivity and emergent leadership, suggesting that effective leadership should prioritize group needs over authority. The collaborating conflict-handling style is recommended to enhance group dynamics and foster mutual problem-solving.

Uploaded by

williammatata19
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

1

Individual Reflection

Baliqis Oyetola Balogun

Group Work Practice

AMHW202201

Cheryl McPherson McPherson

03/06/2025
2

Managing Conflict and Power in a Group Setting

Clearly, there is tension between Danika and the other members, especially when she

presents the proposal by herself instead of involving the group. In this case, the employees

clashed because of how to complete a particular task. Even though clarifying roles can

sometimes enhance group functioning, here the conflict hinders the group because it muffles

certain voices, ignores teamwork and damages trust (McPherson, 2023).

Here, too, there are cases of power being used wrongly. Danika funds her actions with

legitimate power, claiming a leadership role without the others’ vote and ignoring those who she

thinks are obstacles to progress. By achieving expert power, Noah excludes Elena’s cultural

background as unimportant. Such actions have serious consequences for ethics: they lead to a

place where only some views are accepted. As McPherson (2024) states, in ethical group

practice, everyone should be included and made to feel important. Inclusivity and considering all

voices in leadership can help solve conflicts, fostering a fair environment.

From our group conversation, I saw that the idea of emergent leadership is significant.

Leading should focus on fulfilling group requirements, not holding authority. The way Sasha

handled the problems reminded me that good leadership depends on situations and relationships,

not only on a leader’s formal authority (McPherson, 2024).

From Chapter 5, the collaborating conflict-handling style is most relevant here—it

encourages mutual problem-solving and integrates multiple perspectives, which would benefit

this group dynamic (McPherson, 2023).


3

Reference

McPherson, C. (2023). Chapter 5: Conflict and Power in Groups. In C. McPherson (ed.),

Working in Small Groups: Group work practice skills. Pressbooks.

[Link]

McPherson, C. (2024). AMHW 202 – Confronting and preventing social loafing [Video

presentation].

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