By John M. Buckman
Given enough time, conflict will infiltrate even the most harmonious group. And the increasing pressure to perform portends a working life in which conflict is a permanent and natural ingredient. Thus, conflict resolution skills have emerged as important a part of a fire chief or other fire officer’s skill-set as technical ability and job knowledge.
Just how important? There is a strong link between a person’s ability to successfully resolve conflict and his or her perceived effectiveness as a leader. Leaders with poor conflict management skills encounter a promotional ceiling.
Following are tips to lead you on the road to promotion.
Best Leadership Promotable Behaviors
- Perspective Taking–a tendency to respond to conflict by trying to put yourself in the other person’s position and trying to understand that point of view.
- Creating Solutions–a tendency to respond to conflict by brainstorming with the other person, asking questions and trying to create solutions to the problem.
- Expressing Emotions–a tendency to respond to conflict by talking honestly with the other person and expressing your thoughts and feelings.
Worst Leadership Promotable Behaviors
- Avoidance–a tendency to respond to conflict by avoiding or ignoring the other person and acting distant and aloof.
- Winning at all costs–a tendency to respond to conflict by arguing vigorously for your own opinion, refusing to consider changing your position, and trying to win regardless of the interpersonal costs.
- Displaying anger–a tendency to respond to conflict by expressing anger; raising your voice; and using harsh, angry words.
- Demeaning others–a tendency to respond to conflict by laughing at the other person, ridiculing the other’s ideas, and using sarcasm.
- Retaliating–a tendency to respond to conflict by obstructing the other person, retaliating against the other person, and trying to get revenge.
- Ignoring–in the hopes that it will “go away.” Your boss will not appreciate NO action.
John M. Buckman is chief of the German Township (IN) Volunteer Fire Department in Evansville, Indiana, where he has served for 22 years, and the immediate past president of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC). He was instrumental in forming the IAFC’s Volunteer Chief Officers Section and is past chairman. He is an adjunct faculty member in the National Fire Academy residence program, is an advisory board member of Fire Engineering, and lectures extensively on fire service-related topics.
