Using an explanatory sequential mixed method approach, this study determined the scope of practice and explored principals' understandings and experiences of conflict management styles. This means that the five conflict management styles were often observed by school leaders. To date, few attempts have been made to advance the understanding of the temperament types and conflict management styles of principals in public secondary schools.
The present study assessed and explained the temperament types and conflict management styles of school principals in the public high schools. This determines the significant relationship between temperament types and conflict management styles of principals in the public high schools in Bacolod City. This design was used to explore the school leaders' insights and experiences with conflict management styles.
This means that temperament types among school leaders have nothing to do with their conflict management styles. This means that the demographics among school principals have nothing to do with their conflict management styles. This phase of the research aimed to explore school leaders' insights and experiences in the area of conflict management styles.
School heads have diverse insights into managing conflict
This simply suggested that in resolving conflicts, school leaders should focus on strategic approaches rather than the aforementioned demographics so that the end result is feasible and efficient. While in the study of Akinnubi (2012), it appeared that there was no significant relationship between the years of experience of the principal and conflict management in secondary schools. Furthermore, a research study conducted by Diesto (2019) showed no significant relationship between conflict management styles and gender, age, educational attainment and number of years in service of school principals.
It is imperative for school leaders to listen honestly and consider the perspectives of others as essential or legitimate. Both parties must be able to be heard about their underlying interests through honest listening. When resolving a dispute, as a school principal you need to take control of the situation by bringing all parties into a calm state so that you can discuss the issues.
I have to avoid being biased and focus on the facts that are the root of the problem” (Patrick, personal communication, December 5, 2022). I must avoid being biased and focus on the facts that are the root of the problem. The leadership role of the school principal is essential in conflict resolution and negotiation in the workplace.
It is essential to gain the respect of teachers by setting a good example” (Maria, personal communication, August 26, 2022). If there are issues that need to be resolved, caring teachers should be advised to write a formal complaint to the Complaints Committee for consideration. One of the common experiences I can share is when teachers, parents or students come to resolve conflicts about personal or work conflicts.
You need to take control of the situation, so try to remain as impartial as possible without favoring one side over the other. Most of the time it involves personal issues which I believe are the most difficult to resolve.
Reason over emotions in managing conflict
Therefore, temperament has no influence on my decision-making, because it is important that I remain impartial in dealing with the circumstances" (Maria, personal communication, December 5, 2022). It will often fall to you, as the leader of the school, to find solutions to the problems that develop in your institution. However, we will follow the DepEd mission and vision because that is why we are here, and we will not let our personalities or feelings affect what we do at this school” (Mira, personal communication, August 16, 2022).
Ultimately, I try not to let my emotions get in the way” (Patrick, personal communication, August 23, 2022). You have to know what to do and how to discipline, because if the person is really bad mannered, it becomes a challenge” (Carlo, personal communication, September 7, 2022). Sometimes you cannot avoid the fact that you reach the limit of your patience when dealing with certain conflicts.
But sometimes you can't control it, so talk to them personally if you have any chance, but sometimes you have to keep your patience as a leader” (Maria, personal communication, August 26, 2022). Of course, if we have the temperament to handle the situation in the right way in terms of humor, we will first need the patience to deal with the temperaments of two of the teachers. It will be helpful to develop self-control as a school leader and to have the ability to keep your cool when faced with challenging situations.
As principals, we need to put aside our temperament while dealing with conflicts, as it will affect our decision-making process. Because of this, whenever I am presented with disputes between teachers, I listen to them calmly and allow my decisions to be guided by the DepEd mission and vision because that is why we are here. In this way, I will become sensible and rational without allowing my emotions to influence my decisions, especially when it comes to controversial situations, which I have to be careful about" (Mira, personal communication, December 7, 2022).
I usually talk to them privately and talk to them individually gathering the necessary facts. I don't bring my emotions to the table when I hear their side as they will influence my decision in some way.
Diverse approaches to managing conflict
I would like to find a solution that benefits all parties and it would be win-win solutions. The goal is to prevent the conflicts from escalating because it can degrade teacher performance, which in effect can compromise student learning” (Patrick, personal communication, December 5, 2022). Of course we have male teachers, but that doesn't mean I couldn't handle them because I'm a woman” (Carla, personal communication, September 5, 2022).
As much as possible, I make every effort to solve problems that are within my level, but if I am unable to do so despite my best efforts, I refer them to the management team as more managers are more better than one. I always try to resolve conflicts within my level as much as I can, especially those that may jeopardize the performance of my teachers within the classroom” (Carla, personal communication, December 9, 2022). For example, in the organization, of course, you would be strict about attendance, you would be strict about hours, but sometimes they will ask for time off because they have children to take care of, there are hospitalizations or whatever, they are honest. , so you give them leeway.
Generational age, sex, and educational attainment do not influence in managing conflict
I don't believe that age, gender, level of education and years of experience have anything to do with your conflict management style. The one that would matter is the person's maturity in dealing with conflict” (Patrick, personal communication, August 23, 2022). While some adults are still childish, there are also young people who are mature thinkers.
Even if a person has a postgraduate degree or is an experienced school principal, if they are immature by nature, the conflict will be difficult to resolve. It is very difficult to answer such a question, because if you say that the principal is young, he is most likely aggressive. I really controlled myself and I noticed with other school principals that age really doesn't affect anything.
It's really somebody's attitude” (Carlo, personal communication, September 7, 2022). Education) Does not affect. Even though you're only a high school senior, if you're really bad, you're really bad” (Carlo, personal communication, December 5, 2022). More education may help you improve your habits or attitude, but it won't change your overall behavior or mannerisms.
In all the degrees you have, your attitude will only remain; it will be the same. Maybe you just have to put on a face because you're shy like you're showing off, but deep down the worst of you will really come out during the crisis. You can cover it up, but actually the person's feelings, even if he has not completed his education, are already enough.
You can't always embody a character from rationalization; it depends on the attitude you adopt and your values deep inside” (Carlo, personal communication, December 5, 2022).
Years of administrative experience is a plus factor
In the practice of conflict management styles, principals differ in terms of their perspectives. The quantitative findings revealed that principals generally practiced conflict management styles to a large extent. In fact, this led to the meta-inference that principals in practice of conflict management styles differ in terms of their perspectives. Conflict management is indeed a skill that principals must be able to develop to help promote a productive school work environment.
Quantitative analysis showed that temperament does not influence conflict management style, which means that school principals do not allow their emotions to influence their judgment. As a result, school principals can choose the most appropriate conflict management approach for the situation or condition. Quantitative data showed that demographics did not influence conflict management styles, meaning that school principals generally did not consider these variables when deciding how to handle conflict.
The results suggest that demographic variables do not influence the type of conflict management style used by school leaders. Bartlett's (2009) study found that gender, age, and educational level were not significantly related to any of the five conflict management styles. In the practice of conflict management styles, school leaders differ in terms of their perspectives.
Impact of principal's age and administrative experience on conflict management styles at the high school level. Gender diversity and the choice of conflict management styles in small and medium-sized enterprises. The moderating role of cultural intelligence in the relationship between cultural orientations and conflict management styles.
Leadership and conflict management style are associated with the effectiveness of school conflict management in the region of Epirus, NW Greece. Conflict Management Styles among Secondary School Principals of the First District of Surigao Del Sur. The relationship between school administrators' anxiety level and their conflict management strategies (Unpublished master's thesis).
Principals' conflict management styles and their schools' performance among public elementary schools in the district of Mariveles, Bataan.
