Before the Live Event

1. Read the case study https://www.riolearn.org/content/COM/COM230/COM230_INTER_0000_v7/pdfs/Live_Event02_Case_Study.pdf PDF Before your participate with your colleagues in conflict resolution, prepare for the meeting by reading the case study and thoroughly reviewing the company information and members of the team at www.wakingup.com
2. Read pages 94‒103 in Chapter 5, “Relating to Others in Groups and Teams,” to review roles and norms.
3. Additional suggested reading:
   • “Managing Conflict,” Chapter 8, pages 176‒191 and 199‒203
   • “Leadership Style,” Chapter 9, pages 215‒216
   • “Approaches to Group Problem-Solving,” Chapter 10, pages 241‒255
   • “Reflective Thinking,” Chapter 11, pages 265‒279
4. Review the post-event reflection questions. After the live event, you will reflect on your participation with questions that are designed to help you connect concepts with your real-time experience. Reviewing the post-event reflection questions before the event will help you plan your communication during the event.

During the Live Event

The Live Event will be open for 1 hour. The assignment will conclude when your group has come to consensus on how to approach the conflict at Waking Up, Incorporated.

Keep the College Civility Policy in mind as you communicate with your small group for learning activities and assignments in this course. Live events are considered learning environments; therefore, college policies are in effect.

1. Greet your group. Engage in moderate self-disclosure by meeting your group, stating the role you will be playing, and expressing your expectations for this event. Notice how this will be the beginning of the forming and norming stage. If you have previously worked with any of the group members, you might also notice additional stages of group development such as storming or performing.
2. Play your role. After introductions have been made, it is time to start work as the conflict consultants. During this process, you need to obviously play the role you selected when you registered. You may support your role with your comments. For example, you can use comments similar to “As the initiator, I think the group should…” or “This is Jane, the energizer,” or “That is a great idea!” Remember, this event is your practice area. Be bold in your role!
3. Discuss the conflict situation with your group members to:
   • Decide the type of conflict Waking Up, Inc. is facing.
   • Choose the best style of conflict management to use for the conflict.
   • Develop a plan for the leader to address the conflict. This may include
     • selecting the best leadership style,
     • selecting the best approach for solving the conflict, or
     • selecting criteria necessary to come to a resolution for the conflict.

     This process can take any number of shapes depending on how your group decides to work together. Items to consider may include, but are not limited to the following:

   • Developing norms for your group’s discussion
   • Crafting an agenda for discussion
   • Considering decision-making techniques
4. Notice communication concepts. While you are participating, consider what you have learned in COM230 thus far. Specific concepts you may consider include these topics:
   • roles and norms (page 83‒93),
   • conflict (page 172‒206), and
   • groupthink (page 191‒197).
5. Conclude the event. After the group has developed a plan for conflict resolution, take a few minutes to reflect on the group experience with your colleagues. Questions your group may consider include items such as these:
   • Were you satisfied with this group experience?
   • What small group communication concepts did you notice during this process?
   • How easy or difficult was it to play a different role?
   • What could make the process easier the next time?
   • What norms developed during the conversation?
   • After the conflict is resolved, how might the relationships or processes at Waking Up, Inc. change?

After the Live Event:

Complete the Post-Event Reflection Questions blow:

1. Summarize your experience in this live event by stating the role you played.  How did your role-playing experience differ from that of the previous live event? Use specific examples to describe how you played your role.

2. What conflict type did your group select to describe the nature of the conflict facing the Waking Up, Inc. team?  Demonstrate your knowledge of this type of conflict by explaining why it is best suited for this situation.

3. Which conflict management style was selected by your group?  In your opinion, and using specific examples from your experience, how will this style benefit the Waking Up, Inc. team?

4. Was your group successful in establishing a plan for Waking Up, Inc.’s leader to use to address the conflict?  Why or why not?  Use specific examples from your participation to explain your assertions.

5. How did the virtual environment for this event impact your ability to mediate the conflict? Using specific examples from your experience, describe how the event may have been different if you could have met in person.

6. Date of Live Event:

Keyword provided by Event Host: