1. This conflict goes on on two levels – interpersonal and intragroup. The interpersonal between: - Trudy and Russ
What they have between them is relationship and interest conflict. Russ resents Trudy’s decision to acquire more and more big-name players and that they are paid much more than he, though he’s been playing for the team for five years and is one of its best members. Trudy refuses to pay more, Russ doesn’t want to play for her team anymore. So poor communication, perceived injustice, desire for money and respect have shaken the relationship between the player and the owner.
- Marty and Russ
- Marty and Mickey
Here we have value and role conflict. Marty lacks diplomacy and using his power imposes the subjectively unfair decision upon the best players of the team, because he thinks that their main job is to play baseball and they are not doing it well. While Russ and Mickey feel wronged, especially Russ, for he is now not only denied the money he deserves but also is prohibited to play.
- Trudy and Marty
They show relationship and role conflict. Marty makes the decision without consulting with Trudy believing it to be his role and his right as a manager, Trudy orders him to revoke it thinking it’s her place as a team owner to call the shots but is met with adamant refusal.
And the intragroup conflict – inside their group, among the players of the team, the manager and the owner. Here is mainly the conflict of interest – old players want more money, Trudy cannot accommodate all of them and the manager wants them to perform to the best of their abilities.
2. I would say it is a rather dysfunctional conflict, although it has a positive side to it. Previously to the rising dissatisfaction and confrontations the team was on its way towards a pennant. It means the players performed well, were motivated and goal-oriented. Now they are disengaged and more concerned with money and infighting than with the quality of their playing. Moreover Trudy is in danger of loosing team veteran players who ought to be more loyal and dedicated to the team’s success than the recently acquired ones, especially if they know that they will be paid the same elsewhere. The competition could have been a beneficial result of the conflict but here we see that Russ was already the best player, now he plays worse and wants more money for it. Though if he’ll get what he demands, it may serve as a stimulus to other players to work harder. What’s good about this conflict is that it revealed the problem and let the tension manifest for it could have accumulated more and more and result in much greater chaos. Besides this conflict, more accurately the process of its resolution, will turn out to be useful experience for Marty and Trudy.
3. I believe the most important thing at this stage is to consolidate the team, remind the players that they have a common goal – to win - from which they all will benefit. Equally important, I think, is to keep Russ in the team, for he is a great player and feels connected to the team, thus cares for its reputation. To my mind he deserves the raise of salary, as he plays as well as Mickey and equally attracts customers, his loyalty is needed and his claims of lack of appreciation seem justified. So as a mediator I’ll encourage both sides to define and express their opinions and needs, making sure they are heard and acknowledged. I’ll try to coax at first small concessions from both parties building understanding and trust till they’ll be ready for compromise and feel certain their needs will be respected and satisfied in the future too. So communication, collaboration and compromise.
