Conflict Management Style

My dominant style is Competing/ Forcing Shark with a score of 3 and I scored a 4 in the Collaborating Owl.

The Competing Shark

Sharks use a forcing or competing conflict management style.
Sharks are highly goal-oriented.
Relationships take on a lower priority.
Sharks do not hesitate to use aggressive behaviour to resolve conflicts.
Sharks can be autocratic, authoritative, and uncooperative; threatening and intimidating.
Sharks have a need to win; therefore others must lose, creating win-lose situations.
Advantage: If the shark's decision is correct, a better decision without compromise can result.
Disadvantage: May breed hostility and resentment toward the person using it.
Appropriate times to use a Shark style:
when conflict involves personal differences that are difficult to change
when fostering intimate or supportive relationships is not critical
when others are likely to take advantage of noncompetitive behaviour
when conflict resolution is urgent; when decision is vital in crisis
when unpopular decisions need to be implemented.

The Collaborating Owl Owls use a collaborating or problem confronting conflict management style valuing their goals and relationships. Owls view conflicts as problems to be solved finding solutions agreeable to all sides (win-win). Advantage: both sides get what they want and negative feelings eliminated. Disadvantage: takes a great deal of time and effort. Appropriate times to use an Owl Style: when maintaining relationships is important when time is not a concern when peer conflict is involved when trying to gain commitment through consensus building when learning and trying to merge differing perspectives.