Discussion

Discussion 
When you are ready, respond to the questions below. Discussion responses should be on topic, original, and contribute to the quality of the discussion by making frequent informed references to course materials and seminars. Remember to respond to classmates with comments that forward the discussion.
Discussion 1
How do popular views of negotiation reinforce win/lose perspectives? Describe a situation when you were on the “losing” side of the conflict. How did you react to the outcome?

TV + Ego = competitive negotiation 	
Edward Jackson 	
5/12/2012 5:51:28 PM	

	
We as Americans suffer from competitive negotiation.  It's from top to bottom in this country - from our government's lack of collaboration, to personal relationships, we just can't seem to get beyond our own egos.

The particular conflict I was in, where I was on the losing side, was of course at work.  I basically brought forth a few valid complaints of mine about work overload to my manager.  I voiced my concern that I was being overworked (too many projects) and my statements fell on deaf ears.  There was no negotiation, there was no collaboration - it was his way or no way.  My perspective was I felt like I was being asked to do more than I was being paid for.  His perspective was do as he says.  In the end it was a losing situation for both of us - though it affected me first; I left the company and he couldn't find a replacement for me.  It wasn't long before he also mysteriously disappeared from the company.

This could have been easily negotiated in a collaborative way.  I didn't mind doing the work, it just needed better, more practical timelines.  If he would have just listened, extended the timelines, I wouldn't have left and he would probably still be at the company.
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Eddie Jackson
GOK - Philosophy Major/Liberal Studies
http://eddiejackson.net  university page 

http://eddiejackson.net/web_images/negotiating_cartoon.jpg 

	

Discussion 2
Read "The Rainbow Development Water Problem" case on pages 267 -268 of the text. Respond to the following questions:
•	
Specify 
(1) competitive, 
(2) collaborative, and 
(3) transformative approaches to defining this problem.
•	How can concerns be addressed, relationships be enhanced, and solutions be found?
•	What communicative moves from each of the three groups would enhance rather than destroy the ongoing relationships?
•	If you were a negotiator for one of the groups, how might you approach the problem?

Bad water = needs good solution 	
Edward Jackson 	
5/12/2012 6:51:04 PM	

	
The first group and the second group are competitive.  The third group is closer to the transformative group.  There really isn't any group engaging in a strong collaboration.

The concerns of the road should definitely be addressed in an open forum where everyone is attending.  To keep the road, or not to keep the road, in either case would be a deal breaker for group1 or group 2.  If both groups were opened to a collaboration, creative ideas could be put on the table that perhaps would be agreeable by both groups (and the third group as well).

Enhancing relationships could be done in the open forum by not pointing fingers, hearing each of them out, and dealing with issues in a non-absolute way.  It doesn't have to be all or none.  I am sure if they put their heads to it, they can come up with something that will work.

If I were the negotiator of this group, I would use group 3 to help me bring the other 2 groups together.  Group 3 seems to be more level-headed and has interests in the community and actually solving the water problem.  I would once again bring the real issue at hand to table, the water problem.  I would have everyone focus on solutions for that problem...not the road.  Solutions like could the machinery be airlifted in, or broken down into smaller components and reassembled at the well site.
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Eddie Jackson
GOK - Philosophy Major/Liberal Studies
http://eddiejackson.net  university page 

http://eddiejackson.net/web_images/waterwell.jpg	

RE: TV + Ego = competitive negotiation 	
Edward Jackson 	
5/13/2012 2:16:53 PM	

	
No, I agree with you...it needs to be preached.  CEOs making 500 million dollars a year, when we can't even afford textbooks or to pay our teachers decent salaries.  I was shocked to learn that many teachers make under $20,000 a year, and are basically unemployed during the summer months.  I was also shocked to find out that every year college prices are rising drastically, while the quality of education is sliding down.  All the while, the richest people of the country are rolling in the money.  Now that's competitive conflict for you.  I wonder how we could possibly negotiate ourselves out of this mess into something better that works for everyone?
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Eddie Jackson
GOK - Philosophy Major/Liberal Studies
http://eddiejackson.net  university page 

	

RE: Hello Class 	
Edward Jackson 	
5/13/2012 2:32:56 PM	

	
You're in a tough spot.  I would make sure the kid doesn't do anything that would harm them, and other than that, I would leave the rest of it up to your partner.  It's obvious she has it all figured out when it comes to child rearing, so your job is basically done.  I don't think it's worth engaging the kid or your partner in extra conflict that can be easily avoided by letting her do what she thinks is best.
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Eddie Jackson
GOK - Philosophy Major/Liberal Studies
http://eddiejackson.net  university page 

	

RE: Main Post 	
Edward Jackson 	
5/13/2012 2:42:01 PM	

	
Wow, that is a crazy story.  You're doing your job better than everyone, and you're the one who gets laid off.  It sounds like you did everything right about confronting him.  As far as the conflict is concerned, it doesn't seem like you had a very receptive manager.  It's pretty hard to resolve any conflict when only one side is trying to come to a resolution.  Perhaps you were making the rest of the staff look bad by all your good work...it's happened before, where a good employee just sets the bar too high and other people start complaining about it.  You did everything right.  It's just bad it had to end like that.
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Eddie Jackson
GOK - Philosophy Major/Liberal Studies
http://eddiejackson.net  university page 

	

RE: Glenda's initial post 	
Edward Jackson 	
5/14/2012 4:29:29 PM	

	
Listening to each of their issues is a great start.  Eventually there needs to be solutions...and it really looks like at least one of the groups doesn't want to cooperate or collaborate.  They will be the toughest to deal with if you or I are the negotiator.  I think getting everyone together is a good start.  It does sound like there may need to be a firm hand in resolving the conflict though.  By firm, I mean there obviously has to be something done about the water - road or no road.  I would ask, if there is no road, what other ideas can they come up with.
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Eddie Jackson
GOK - Philosophy Major/Liberal Studies
http://eddiejackson.net  university page 	
	
RE: Hello Class 	
Edward Jackson 	
5/14/2012 4:41:42 PM	

	
The meeting is a good place to start.  I think I would ask each group for solutions to the other groups' concerns.  This does 2 things: it gets everyone thinking about the other groups involved, and people try coming up with viable solutions for the issue at hand.
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Eddie Jackson
GOK - Philosophy Major/Liberal Studies	

	
RE: Main Post 	
Edward Jackson 	
5/14/2012 4:50:15 PM	

	
Presenting your idea and looking for a happy medium is good.  We could also get a white board and write down everyone’s concerns and everyone’s ideas so every group could see all the ideas, concerns, and possible solutions all at once.  I think using this approach may also show everyone how each of them is involved in this conflict.  This may work just because, hopefully, they’ll realize they aren’t the only ones being affected by not coming to a solution that works for everyone. 

---------------------------------------------------------
Eddie Jackson
GOK - Philosophy Major/Liberal Studies
http://eddiejackson.net  university page