Module 6 1

Marissa Mallahan
April 26, 2018
BIS 340
Professor Bill Erwin
Module 6 Reflection

Prompt #1: In Module 1, you watched "Invictus," a clip from the movie "Gandhi," and a 60
Minute Segment on Mindfulness.  The idea was to have you look at attitude and a mental model
about conflict, review the attitudes of two powerful leaders, and consider your own approach to
conflict.  Did this Module help set a foundation upon which to develop the rest of the course?
What worked and did not work?
After watching the videos within the first module of this course, one has to take pause
and reflect on their own mental modules. Mandela and Gandhi were great leaders in their own
right, experienced devastating treatment at the hands there opponents. However, both men
responded with grace, and self-restrained. There are many lessons that can be taken from both
leaders concerning how to address conflict, and leadership. A Nelson Mandela action teaches us
that the concept of an “eye for an eye” is not the ideal approach to building concession and
changing individual behaviors. It set the foundation of openness, and seeking to build bridges
within the way we effectively communicate during conflicts. Gandhi’s advice, although I found
somewhat puzzling during, also helped to set a foundation in dealing with conflict. In my
opinion, Gandhi’s advise focuses on inner forgiveness. Gandhi to me set the foundation that in
order to move forward during any conflict we must be first conscious our own inner
peace/forgiveness.

Prompt #2:  In Module 2, you were introduced to the martial art, Aikido.  The purpose of this
module was to use a martial art that deals with "physical conflict" in a different way, a way that
provided a metaphor for how to deal with conflict in the workplace.  What did you take away
from this Module?  Did you see a connection between the principles of Aikido and the principles
of dealing professionally with workplace conflict?  
During the module 2 lesson, a different perspective on martial arts techniques/styles was
gain. While martial art is believed to focus on “physical conflict,” individuals can gain an
understanding of how tackle other forms of conflict as well. The Aikido method taught with
module two press view conflict from the viewpoint of your opponent rather than your own.
However, while taking on this new observation, one has to continue to be centered, not giving
into the temptation of attack, but rather accepting. There is a connection between the principles
of Aikido method and the principles of dealing professionally with workplace conflict. In
handling workplace conflict professionally restrain is require. Furthermore, respecting and fully
hearing the other person’s opinion is very important. Aikido asks that we welcome the “gift” and
blend, which essentially is respecting the other individual’s viewpoint.

Prompt #3:  In Module 3, you were introduced to the first conflict transformation skill, "Spitting
Out the Hook."  Did you learn the skill?  Will it help you deal with conflict?  Was this quiz (and
were the quizzes} fair, too hard, or too easy?  Did the quizzes help you gain more from the text?
The transformation skill, “Spitting Out the Hook” was a more difficult in contrast to other
techniques learned throughout the course. Besides the level of difficulty I did in fact learned the
skill, and the practical application though the discussion helped. The quizzes were reflective of
Module 6 2

what is within the course text. The structure of the questions seems to summarize the paragraphs
within a particular chapter. The question structure increased the difficulty of the quizzes.
However, if actually helped with comprehension.

Prompt #4: In Module 4, you were introduced to the second conflict transformation skill,
"H.E.A.R."  Did you learn the skill?  Will it help you deal with conflict?  Some of you already
use an active listening skill; was learning H.E.A.R. too redundant or was it valuable to review?
As professional, who works in recruiting the H.E.A.R technique was one that I can relate
to more on a professional setting. The utilizing of the H.E.A.R technique will help when it comes
to conflicts as well. There is no real redundancy within the technique. Active listening skill will
be improved when utilizing this technique. Also building relationship base on mutual respect of
viewpoints and open conversation can inherently increase as well.

Prompt #5: In Module 5, you were introduced to the third conflict transformation skill, "BURN
CLEAN."  Did you learn the skill?  Will it help you deal with conflict? Will it help you express
your "wants" without throwing out hooks?
One of the methods that I found to be very valuable during this course is the “Burn
Clean” technique. The value within the technique does not center on the fact that it focuses on
our own individual needs and not the other person. The “Burn Clean” technique will help with
addressing conflicts and getting my viewpoint or need across. Yes, it will help with expressing
oneself want “without throwing out hooks”. I also feel that you can also utilize the “Burn Clean”
process in conjunction with other techniques taught within the course over the past weeks.

Prompt #6: In Module 6, you were introduced to the fourth conflict transformation skill, "SAY
YES."  Did you learn the steps in this skill?  Will you be able to use it to help you transform
conflict?  How confident do you feel about using the SAY YES Model?  
I do not see myself as a mediator in the near future, in a professional setting. However,
there are many circumstances within our lives that we will have the opportunity to utilize the
“Say Yes” technique. The practical application of this method highlights that we all have used
some form of the structure with this process in dealing conflict we are pulled into by those within
our lives. Having two little girls, I would say that I am very confident with the SAY YES model.

Prompt #7: Is there something you wish you had learned or some topic we needed to spend
more or less time on?  Add any final thoughts you think would be helpful in improving this
course.  Overall, was the workload fair and manageable, light or too much?  
There is no other topic concerning conflict that I would to spend more or less time
addressing. The practical application approach with each week’s discussion great assisted, and
was valuable with learning the various techniques. The connection with the text and the
techniques learned within the course seems to missing in my opinion. Providing some connection
to weekly assigned reading will help with understanding the read requirement of course.