Discussion: Leading through conflict - Collapse
The Roman poet Virgil used metaphor to great effect in his masterpiece, the Aeneid. In one such metaphor, he describes the calming of the sea after a violent storm with a comparison to an angry mob calmed by the mere appearance of a great statesman who, with just his presence and wise words, is able to recall the people to their duties (Aeneid, I.201-215). Virgil's comparison was likely flattery directed towards his patron, Augustus Caesar, Rome's first emperor. Yet, in this metaphor he captures an important quality of a skilled leader who can defuse tensions and lead problems to successful resolutions-frequently through framing things in just the right w ay. In this Debate, you will consider an unsolved problem in need of resolution through wise leadership.
To complete this Debate:
Conflict-management techniques allow leaders to control conflict levels (not only decrease them, but also increase them). Select a problem that disturbs you and is not solved. The problem can address any environment-your workplace, your community, your society or humankind.
Describe a method of making it more widely perceived by other people. In your description, identify the sort of people who could actively contribute to its solution and why they should be interested in helping accomplish this goal. Discuss how a skilful leader would make allies of them by framing the situation in terms that would appeal to them. Give specific examples of what aspects of the problem a good leader would highlight and which you might downplay to communicate efficiently yet without crossing the line into manipulation or decep tion.