Collaboration and confrontation

When working in a community services team it is important that you understand the difference between collaboration and confrontation and also understand how to apply these strategies appropriately.

Collaboration is an important strategy for consultation, communication and problem solving in an organisation.  Collaboration involves working together with others on a joint intellectual task. This often involves the swapping, sharing and discussion of ideas.

Confrontation involves the process of opposing a person’s thoughts, beliefs, ideas, or behaviour. In the community services environment it differs from an argument in that it is a structured and systematic approach to resolving differences.

Confrontation should only be used under the guidance of your workplace dispute resolution processes and with the support of management or though appropriate facilitation.