Conflict Resolution

Overview

Working with other people may sometimes lead to disagreements. These disagreements may start as engineering decision disputes but can evolve to personal or emotional conflicts. In most cases, such disagreement are extinguished at the spot during day-to-day communication and do not lead to major conflicts. This section describes a formal process followed in Libre Space Foundation to negotiate and resolve conflicts between individuals. The process is mainly based on private meetings between the individuals and a defined course of action which should resolve any conflict as early as possible.

Private Meeting

This is the first action that should be attempted to resolve a conflict. The offended party is defined as the individual who recognizes first that a conflict exists with another individual. The offending party is defined as the other individual in the conflict. The offended party communicates to the offending party the will to invoke the current process. Both parties hold a private meeting to discuss the issue at hand on a mutually agreed time and place. The parties discuss and attempt to reach an agreement. If an agreement is not reached and the conflict still continues, then they move to the next action.

Involving a Mediator

This is the second action that should be attempted to resolve a conflict, if the previous action fails. The parties agree on a mutually accepted mediator, invited as a facilitator to their discussions. The offended, offending parties and the mediator hold a private meeting to discuss the issue at hand on a mutually agreed time and place. The parties discuss and attempt to reach an agreement, with the help of the mediator. The mediator shall use their skill to improve communication between the parties and must be very careful not to express opinion or take the side of any party. If an agreement is not reached and the conflict still continues, then they move to the next action.

Seek Guidance

This is the last action that should be attempted to resolve a conflict, if the previous action fails. The parties seek guidance and advice on how to reach an agreement from Libre Space Foundation Board. Libre Space Foundation Board is the body responsible for preserving cultural integrity and leading transformations within the organization.