BSBGOV507
Manage board or committee and organisational conflict


Application

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to manage conflict, both within the board or committee and with operational personnel in the organisation.

It applies to individuals who are on committees or boards of governance.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Identify existing and potential conflict

1.1 Determine if conflict exists and its possible causes

1.2 Identify potential situations of future conflict

1.3 Develop strategies to prevent conflict

2. Consider the conflict situation

2.1 Consider if the conflict relates to operational or strategic activity

2.2 Acknowledge the issue(s) and the roles of the parties involved, noting that board and committee members' roles are strategic and employees' roles are operational

2.3 Ascertain how the roles of the parties involved have impacted upon the conflict

2.4 Develop resolution strategies in accordance with legislation, the organisation's constitution and in consultation with conflicting parties

2.5 Seek professional advice where needed, maintaining discretion and confidentiality

2.6 Ensure the wellbeing of individuals and the organisation is considered when developing resolution strategies

3. Use strategies to resolve conflict

3.1 Promptly, appropriately and impartially implement resolution strategies that are in line with legislation and the roles of the parties involved

3.2 Diffuse emotional situations by focussing on the issue(s) rather than the individual(s) concerned

3.3 Follow organisational grievance policy if conflict has escalated to grievance level

3.4 Allow sufficient time for the conflict to be resolved

3.5 Monitor and evaluate the process used to resolve the conflict

Evidence of Performance

Evidence of the ability to:

communicate, negotiate and work cooperatively regarding conflict with:

other board or committee members

management and staff of the organisation

key stakeholders

develop strategies to prevent conflict both within the board or committee and between the board or committee and operational personnel

develop resolution strategies with conflicting parties

diffuse emotional conflict situations by focusing on the issues at hand

monitor and evaluate conflict resolution processes.

Note: If a specific volume or frequency is not stated, then evidence must be provided at least once.


Evidence of Knowledge

To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, the individual must:

discuss potential situations of future conflict

explain the roles of the parties involved (in terms of board or committee member roles as opposed to operational personnel roles)

discuss options for conflict resolution and situations that would warrant the use of the following methods:

formal discussions with third party presence

informal discussions

following organisational policies

professional advice

grievance procedures

describe conflict monitoring and evaluation processes

describe legislative and organisational constitutional requrirements in relation to conflict.


Assessment Conditions

Assessment must be conducted in a safe environment where evidence gathered demonstrates consistent performance of typical committee or board of governance activities and include access to:

examples of conflict resolution.

Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.


Foundation Skills

This section describes language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills incorporated in the performance criteria that are required for competent performance.

Skill

Performance

Criteria

Description

Reading

1.1, 3.1

Interprets various texts to guide activities and decisions

Writing

1.3, 2.4

Collates and compiles material using clear and detailed language to convey specific information, requirements and recommendations

Oral Communication

2.2-2.4, 3.2

Participates in a variety of spoken exchanges using suitable tone, language and strategies to confirm, clarify or repair understanding

Make constructive suggestions when required

Elicits views and opinions of others by active listening and questioning

Navigate the world of work

1.1-1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.4, 3.1, 3.2, 3.4

Takes personal responsibility for adherence to legal/regulatory responsibilities relevant to own work context, and draws attention to any issues that may affect the organisation as a whole

Recognises and follows explicit and implicit protocols and meets expectations associated with own role

Interact with others

2.2-2.4, 2.6, 3.2, 3.3,

Follows accepted communication practices and protocols, adjusting personal communication style in response to values, beliefs and cultural expectations of others

Get the work done

1.3, 2.1, 2.4, 2.5, 3.1, 3.3, 3.4

Develops plans to manage relatively complex tasks with an awareness of how they may contribute to longer term operational strategic goals

Makes a range of critical and non-critical decisions in relatively complex situations, taking a range of constraints into account

Recognises and addresses some unfamiliar problems of increasing complexity within own scope, recognising when to seek expertise of others


Sectors

Regulation, Licensing and Risk – Governance