CORRELATION BETWEEN ADVERSITY QUOTIENT (AQ) AND CONFLICT STYLE IN THE WORKPLACE

Abstract

In the past decades, a very wide and rich understanding of conflict, conflict at work and human behaviour towards adversity and conflict has been developed. Research has been done about the theories, sources, processes and many other aspects of all these themes. However, unfortunately, none of this has much of a practical use if people (who are at the basis of all these studies) do not know or apply the useful knowledge and techniques developed so far. The Adversity Quotient concept was developed by Dr Paul G. Stoltz and has to do with an individual capacity to adapt to and handle challenging situations can be measured and developed. Amy Gallo, author of the HBR Guide to dealing with conflict, explores how identifying what is people´s natural tendency toward conflict is makes a difference when managing disputes in the workplace. The goals of this research was to determine how conflict styles in the workplace relate to AQ and assess how widespread these two theories were amongst the population. In addition, the study aimed to determine the prevalence of knowledge and real-life application of them and, to contribute to the relevant literature with its findings. The chosen methodology was primary research based on questionnaires and Pearson ´coefficient for further analysis. The results found show that these two concepts are not vastly widespread, but even amongst people who are familiarized with them, they are not put to practice. AQ and both conflict styles are not directly related analysed while mixed, however, individually, each conflict style presents a linear correlation with the same population AQ scores. This shows that different theories can relate and add to improved and developed ways people can deal with difficulties and conflict in the workplace. Individually, theories are more known than used. Instead of studying separate theories, people might be able to apply a mix of attitudes an better their work environment and life.