Half-Empty/ Half Full
The conflict between Reno and Frank is clearly defined as TRIP. The conflicting goal in the paralegal office is due to differences in wants, the relationship in the office, interaction, and the communication process they have. The incompatibility between Frank and Reno results in major conflict issues in the office that are negatively affecting the performances of the two workers as well as the company (Diaz, 2013). Frank and Reno express the struggles they are facing in the line of duty because of failing to understand each other as well as bringing in the personal issues.
The article portrays the topic goal issue where Frank and Reno are conflicting because of differences in their wants. Frank being an office manager, requires Reno to do things his way without question. Lack of prior communication about the meeting to Reno by Frank raises hot debate and escalates the conflict between the two. Frank’s thinking is for the betterment and productivity that makes him force Reno into their company’s culture. Frank and has no bad intention to conflict with Reno, but the differences in their personalities, opinions, and lifestyles make them not to get along.
According to Kuttner (2011), the differences in position and powers determine the relation goal. Frank is a manager mandated to oversee and manage the office work in the paralegal company while Reno is an employee in the company. The differences in the position and powers held have significant effects on a company’s productivity. Reno feels underestimated and treated like an idiot by the manager. “Why can’t he listen and do what I tell him? I am the office manager,”, the phrase depicts the authoritative nature of Frank that is leading to their incompatibility.
Identity goal is also seen in the article, and Reno feels that he is being taken for granted by Frank despite doing what he is asked to do. Reno says that he does what he is asked to do and follows instructions, yet the manager is always mad at him. On the other hand, Frank feels that Reno is a hostile person who does not take manager instructions or work as other employees. Failure to communicate to understand each different view creates more problems in the company as they can no longer hold their bitterness and hatred for each other. The negative interaction depicted by Frank and Reno is the root cause of their prolonged conflict.
Lack of engagement between Frank and Reno to communicate their diverse opinions is the reason for their incompatibility. Both Frank and Reno are unwilling to talk and solve their problems that make it hard for them to work in the same place. Including Linda and Sam, who are their bosses to the matter, reveals the level of the conflict. The process of conflict solving used is mediation, where the bosses are used to bring Frank and Reno together and advise them on how to work out their differences.
The process goals are mainly concerned with how communication and conflict occur. Frank, as the manager, has failed to bring a supportive working environment for Reno by avoiding holding a talk one on one to solve out their disparities. Frank being mad at Reno at all times despite the efforts put is one of the reasons as to why Reno is resenting in the workplace. When Frank realized that they had varying opinions, the first thing he did was to utilize the appropriate contingency. The necessary contingency minimizes the effects of their disparities and to begin the process of restoring their relationship.