MGT 100 The Manager as Communicator: Conflict Resolution Project Assignment

College students searching for practical conflict resolution assignment instructions and grading rubrics for MGT 100 Manager as Communicator courses will find clear step-by-step project requirements in this detailed and structured assessment brief.

Conflict Resolution Project – Assignment and Grading Rubric

Due at the end of Week 4 Careful attention to deadlines and instructions will help students successfully complete each portion of this experiential learning task.

This project is due the end of Week 4. Early organization and steady progress are essential for completing the project effectively and on time.

However, begin your work on this assignment during Week 3 as it will take some time to plan and implement this assignment. Thoughtful preparation during Week 3 allows students to reflect on the conflict situation and choose appropriate communication strategies.

Part 1 Planning – 150-250 words.

1. Describe a current conflict situation that you face with another person in some aspect of your work or personal life that you feel comfortable addressing and sharing with Amy (it will not be shared with the rest of the class). Students should select a situation that provides meaningful opportunity for honest self-reflection and professional growth.

Choose a situation that is relevant and important to you – however – not one that is too hot to handle. Realistic and manageable conflicts typically produce the most useful learning experiences.

2. Provide a brief description of the conflict. Clear and objective descriptions help create a solid foundation for effective analysis and planning.

3. Articulate your goal for addressing this conflict and what you hope will be the result. Specific and measurable goals will make it easier to evaluate the success of your communication effort.

For example, to get a certain action/outcome; to sway a decision; to influence a change in behavior; to be heard; etc. Defining the desired result in advance encourages purposeful and strategic communication.

4. Identify at least one of the tools and techniques discussed in our textbook Chapters 3, 4 or 5 that you will utilize to address the conflict with this person in real life. Connecting theory from the course to a practical situation demonstrates meaningful application of learning.

5. What channel will you use to address the conflict and why? Selecting an appropriate communication channel requires careful consideration of tone, timing, and relationship dynamics.

6. When will you address the conflict? Planning a specific time frame increases accountability and supports successful implementation.

Part 2 – Action Step

7. Implement your plan in real life: Communicate with the person to address the conflict as you described above. Direct experience with real communication challenges provides valuable insight that cannot be gained from theory alone.

Part 3 Assessment – 150-250 words

Following the interaction diagnose how it went. Honest reflection after the conversation allows students to evaluate both strengths and areas for improvement.

8. Was your goal met? A clear answer to this question helps measure the effectiveness of the chosen strategy.

9. What worked well, if anything? What was unsuccessful, if anything? Balanced evaluation encourages realistic awareness of communication successes and limitations.

10. What strengths did you bring to the situation? Recognizing personal strengths helps build confidence for future professional interactions.

11. When were you most challenged? Identifying difficult moments promotes deeper self-awareness and learning.

12. What might you do differently if you were to do it again? Thoughtful consideration of alternative approaches supports ongoing development as a communicator.

Required Course Textbook

Book _ 13th Edition Adler, B., Elmhorst, J. M., & Lucas, K. Communicating at Work: Strategies for Success in Business and the Professions, 13th Edition, McGraw-Hill, New York, 2019, ISBN 978-1-265-05342-0. Regular consultation of this textbook will provide the theoretical foundation necessary to complete all sections of the project successfully.

Effective conflict resolution requires intentional planning, clear communication goals, and honest self-reflection after the interaction takes place. A well-chosen conflict situation offers an opportunity to apply listening skills, empathy, and message organization in a practical setting. Selecting an appropriate communication channel, such as a face-to-face conversation rather than text messaging, often improves the likelihood of a constructive outcome. The tools presented in the course textbook, including perception checking and assertive message design, give students reliable frameworks for managing difficult conversations. Research in organizational communication confirms that structured conflict management approaches can significantly improve workplace relationships and performance (Einarsen et al., 2018, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.leaqua.2018.02.001). Reflective assessment after the interaction helps transform experience into long-term professional learning. Careful evaluation of what worked and what did not work strengthens future managerial communication skills.

 Scholarly References

• Einarsen, S., Skogstad, A., Rørvik, E., Lande, Å., & Nielsen, M. B. (2018). Climate for conflict management, exposure to workplace bullying and work engagement. *Leadership Quarterly*, 29(5), 549–562. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.leaqua.2018.02.001
• Oetzel, J., Meares, M., Myers, K., & Lara, E. (2020). Interpersonal conflict in organizations: Explaining conflict styles via face negotiation theory. *Communication Research*, 47(4), 579–603. https://doi.org/10.1177/0093650218807911
• Chan, S. H., Sit, E. N., & Lau, W. M. (2021). Conflict management styles, emotional intelligence and implicit theories of personality of nursing students. *Nurse Education Today*, 98, 104741. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2020.104741
• De Dreu, C. K. W., & Gelfand, M. J. (2019). The psychology of conflict and conflict management in organizations. *Annual Review of Psychology*, 70, 423–449. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-010418-102824