At the Head Start where I work we lost funding and, because of this, we lost a classroom. We returned back to work this week and I had everything from my classroom, plus the classroom furniture and materials from the room we lost, all shoved into my small room. My assistant and I have been going through the things and figuring out what we want and what do not want. Nobody has came to get the extra furniture from our room and we have had a difficult time working around it. One can barely walk because of all the extra stuff. My assistant is a very emotional person and this task has really gotten to her this week. We have had several disagreements this week on our classroom. I am the type of person that if I have not used something in a few months chances are I won't use it and it just needs to go. She is a "pack rat" and does not want to throw anything away. This has caused some disagreements between us.
I actually used some of the strategies that I have learned from this course with her this week in order for us to have better communication and less disagreements. One of the strategies that I used was compromise. I listened to her voice her opinions about why she wanted to keep certain things. Then I explained why I thought we should get rid of it. Then I suggested that we compromise. We would keep it, if we could find a place for it, but if we did not find a use for it this year then we would get rid of it for next year. She agreed. Another strategy that I used with my assistant was empathetic listening. I have learned that with her, you need to be a good listener. A lot of the times she just needs someone to listen to her and she needs to feel wanted and important. By using these two strategies, I was able to resolve our conflict.
My co-worker and I had a discussion on conflict communication and becoming a NVC. She told me that she tries to listen to parents or others whenever there is a conflict and tries to understand where they are coming from before voicing her opinion. She said she just tries to take each conflict that comes up and handle it to the best of her ability and learn from it.
I have also discovered that during a disagreement, a person may onlywant to be heard and to feel as though their opinions are valued. This may not necessary mean that their opinions are acted out; or that their thoughts are more important. However, people want to be heard and seen and by solely recognizing others may help to resolve conflict as well.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, you are already applying your conflicts resolution skills. I agree that it is difficult to work peacefully with others. However, you have employed a very effective approach. I am certain that you will be successful. It is important that we be the problem solver in situations that are demanding.
ReplyDeleteMisty,
ReplyDeleteThe local Head Start in my area has to shutdown a classroom as well due to the sequestration. It seems that this has caused an extra stress on you and your coworker. I have found that these added stresses (and having a room full of furniture and extra supplies) can make a conflict worse. I also don't like to work in an unorganized environment and find myself easily irritable and overwhelmed. I wish you both peace and patience as you deal with this difficult time in your program.
Victoria Leming