Harmony Amid Dissonance: The Doctrine of the Mean as a Conflict Resolution Strategy in Culturally Diverse Medical Volunteer Teams

Abstract (300 chars+ as provided earlier)

 Medical volunteer teams working across different cultures often face interpersonal tensions due to varied communication styles, power dynamics, and divergent expectations. Such conflicts can undermine mission outcomes and disrupt team harmony. This study examines how the Confucian concept of 중용 (Doctrine of the Mean 中庸)—which advocates for moderation, contextual judgment, and relational balance—can serve as an effective tool for conflict resolution in these settings. Based on qualitative data collected from various age groups and walks of life, the research categorizes common conflict scenarios and examines how team leaders who applied 중용—balancing firmness with empathy—helped rebuild trust, foster inclusion, and restore group cohesion. Through in‑depth case analyses, the study reveals that applying this principle led to better collaboration, stronger interpersonal bonds, and higher team satisfaction. These findings suggest that 중용 offers a culturally sensitive yet widely applicable framework for leadership development and conflict management in diverse, high‑pressure volunteer environments.

Conflict Case Cards (Problem → Action → Mean → Result)

1. Volunteer Team Health Issue → Allow limited contributions from sick members, rotate breaks; acknowledge extra effort post‑event → fairness and morale maintained.

   

   
   
   

2. Photo Permission Dilemma → Ask consent, share only approved group photos → privacy protected while outreach continues.

   

   
   
   

3. Resource Shortage → Triage by urgency; borrow/share supplies → equitable distribution with priority to critical patients.