Conflict between friends

Bob and James are working on a Chemistry project that involves writing a research paper due in 3 weeks. They decided to split the workload, with Bob taking on the task of writing the research paper, while James bearing the responsibility of gathering relevant data. Both of them agreed that James would hand Bob the data at the end of the first week for him to write out the full paper by the end of the second week. Both also agreed to edit the paper together in the last week before turning the paper in.

James scoured intensively for the relevant data and diligently submitted it to Bob by the end of the first week. The problem aroused when Bob did not follow the agreed timeline. Instead, he brushed away James’ constant reminders in the third week that they should be into the editing phase of the project with the reply that he needed more time to think about the structure of the paper instead of writing it out. Tensions grew between the two friends as a result.

The main cause of this conflict can be owed to trust and different working styles of the two friends. James’ orderly and timeliness nature clash with Bob’s eleventh-hour working style. On one hand, James feels worried about Bob not being able to finish the project on time, but reminds himself that Bob has a track record of straight ‘A’s. Bob, on his part, feels that James does not trust him enough to produce quality work by the deadline and is rather irritated with James.

How can the two good friends come to an agreement in this situation?

The importance of effective communication

Society functions just like the human body: Many organs and tissues performing different roles, working together as one in a symbiotic relation with each other. As the functions provided by each and every organ is unique, contributing to the ultimate survival of the organism, failure of any one organ or tissue, results in the collapse of the whole system. However, in order for this symbiotic relationship among the organs and tissue of the human body, an effective communication system among them, must be established. Without this communication system, the organs and tissues would not only be able to function effectively as an organism but worst still, the cells that comprises these body parts would start to develop as an egoistic individual, resulting in cancer. Problems, such as diseases and cancer, could also arise as the result when they do not communicate effectively i.e. when the wrong protein molecules used for signalling are secreted or when the wrong receptors, used to interpret the signalling proteins, are produced. This analogy could be similiarly applied to society at hand, where many individuals perform various functions to support it and when communication breaks down, or when it is not effective, it becomes 'diseased'.

From the example above, communication can be seen to be comprised to two components: the signal as well as the receptor. When either one fails to work properly, communication breaks down. Thus, it is necessary to not only be able to communication ideas efficiently across but also be able to be persuasive enough, such that the 'receptor' is able to respond correctly. This can be attained by applying skills such as looking out for non verbal cues, being assertive and acquiring sensitivity when dealing with cultural issues. Such skills, on the microscopic level, would also serve to allow work teams to function smoothly and for key ideas to be effectively dispensed and executed. It can be even applied to relationships among friends, family and even between spouses, such that consensus on values, beliefs and expectations could be reached, reducing the possibility of friction and tension.

Hence, I believe, that besides developing the skills required of us, as university students, culturing effective communicative habits is just as important, for the simple fact: that we are able to live and function together peacefully and effectively, as a single body.