Managing and Resolving Conflicts
MANAGING AND RESOLVING CONFLICTS
Introduction
Many atimes when the term conflict is used, the association made is with physical violence. Though, news media and other sources often use conflict and physical violence interchangeably. The concept of conflict is far more expansive. In many cases, conflict in the workplace just seems to be a fact of life. We’ve all seen situations where different people with different goals and needs have come into conflict. The fact that conflict exists is not necessarily a bad thing. As long as it is resolved effectively, it can lead to personal and professional growth.
In many cases, effective conflict resolution skills can make the difference between positive and negative outcomes. The good news is that by resolving conflict successfully, you can solve many of the problems brought to the surface as well as getting benefits that you might not at first expect.
Definition:
The pursuit of incompatible goals by different groups. This includes conflict at personal levels as well as at the communal and broader systematic levels. Interests at a societal level and at a global level will not always be compatible. e.g. the Local Transport Authority wants to widen an existing road that runs through a residential neighborhood to provide an alternative route for those who commute everyday on a congested highway. The neighbors on the other hand, do not want the added traffic, noise and pollution coming through their neighborhood. Each party has goals and interests that are mutually exclusive. The Authority and the neighbors are in conflict. Conflict can be a sign of deeper issues that need to be addressed. Perhaps, the deeper issue could be the lack of enough communication between the community and the government officials. If it is well handled, there won’t be any problem. However, if they are not addressed in a fair, transparent way, then conflict can be harmful. Conflicts can employ violent methodologies and
Introduction
Many atimes when the term conflict is used, the association made is with physical violence. Though, news media and other sources often use conflict and physical violence interchangeably. The concept of conflict is far more expansive. In many cases, conflict in the workplace just seems to be a fact of life. We’ve all seen situations where different people with different goals and needs have come into conflict. The fact that conflict exists is not necessarily a bad thing. As long as it is resolved effectively, it can lead to personal and professional growth.
In many cases, effective conflict resolution skills can make the difference between positive and negative outcomes. The good news is that by resolving conflict successfully, you can solve many of the problems brought to the surface as well as getting benefits that you might not at first expect.
Definition:
The pursuit of incompatible goals by different groups. This includes conflict at personal levels as well as at the communal and broader systematic levels. Interests at a societal level and at a global level will not always be compatible. e.g. the Local Transport Authority wants to widen an existing road that runs through a residential neighborhood to provide an alternative route for those who commute everyday on a congested highway. The neighbors on the other hand, do not want the added traffic, noise and pollution coming through their neighborhood. Each party has goals and interests that are mutually exclusive. The Authority and the neighbors are in conflict. Conflict can be a sign of deeper issues that need to be addressed. Perhaps, the deeper issue could be the lack of enough communication between the community and the government officials. If it is well handled, there won’t be any problem. However, if they are not addressed in a fair, transparent way, then conflict can be harmful. Conflicts can employ violent methodologies and