Conflict arises when one person perceives that another person has negatively affected or will negatively affect something they care about. Not all conflicts are unhealthy, but they can become counterproductive if not properly managed. There are different views on conflict, including seeing it as inherently bad or as a natural occurrence that can even be beneficial. Key ways to manage conflict include open communication, compromise, focusing on issues rather than personal attacks, and ensuring any solutions are followed through. Overall, an organization needs some level of conflict to adapt and change over time.
3. Definition Of Conflict
Conflict is process that begins when
someone perceives that someone else has
negatively affected,or is about to negatively
affect,something that the first person care
about.
Not all conflicts within an organization is
unhealthy,but conflict between and among
people within the organization can quickly
become counter-productive,divisive, and
destructive if not properly managed.
4. Different Views Of Conflict
Traditional View
All conflicts are bad.
Conflicts are result of poor communication.
Lack of openness and trust between workers and management.
A failure on the part of managers.
Workplace without conflict was assumed to be happy and productive workplace.
Human Relations View (1940s to 1970s)
Conflict was a natural occurrence in all groups and organizations.
Industrial and labor psychologist rationalized its extistence:
Can’t be elminated,it may even be beneficial.
Interactionist View (1980s to 1990s)
Encourages conflict on the ground that without the minimum level of conflict,
no organization can change,adapt,and survive the rigors of the marketplace.
5. Types Of Conflict
Substantive Conflict:
Disagreement over goal,resourses,rewards,policies,procedures and
job assignments.
Emotional Conflict:
Results from feeling of anger,distrust,dislike,fear,as well as relationship
problems.
Functional Conflict:
Stimulates us towards greater work effort.
More creativity in problem solving.
And to cooperate more with others.
Dysfunctional Conflict:
Is destructive and hurts task performances.
6. General Causes Of Conflict
Poorly defined goals.
Divergent personal values.
Lack of cooperation.
Scarcity of resources.
Unclear roles/ job description.
Communication failure.
Personality conflict.
7. Hampers Productivity.
Lowers Morale.
Causes More and Continued Conflicts.
Causes Inappropriate Behaviors.
8. Conflict management is the practice of identifying and
handling conflict in a sensible,fair,and efficient manner.
10. Five basic ways of addressing conflict were identified by
Thomas and Kilman in 1976:
Competing:
Assert one's viewpoint at the potential expense of another. It can be useful when
achieving one's objectives outweighs one's concern for the relationship.
Accommodating:
Surrender one's own needs and wishes to accommodate the other party to maintain
harmony.
Avoiding:
Avoid or postpone conflict by ignoring it, changing the subject, etc. Avoidance can be
useful as a temporary measure to buy time or as an expedient means of dealing with
very minor, non-recurring conflicts.
Collaborating:
Work together to find a mutually beneficial .While the Thomas Kilman grid views collaboration as
the only win-win solution to conflict, collaboration can also be time-intensive and inappropriate
when there is not enough trust, respect or communication among participants for collaboration to
occur.
Compromising:
Occurs when both parties sacrifice to find some common grounds or bargaining for something
“Acceptable” so in this case each party wins and loses a bit.
11.
12. Different Situations Developed By Conflict
Management Styles
Competing (win-lose situation)
Accommodating (lose-win situation)
Avoiding (lose-lose situation)
Compromising (lose-lose situation)
Collaborating (win-win situation)
13. How to prevent conflicts
Frequent meeting of your team.
Allow your team to express openly.
Sharing objectives.
Having a clear and detailed job description.
Distributing task fairly.
Never criticize team members publicly.
Always be fair and just with your team.
Being a role model.
14. KEY COMPONENTS IN RESOLVING CONFLICT
Acknowledge The Problem:
Effectively managing a conflict requires facing up to it. Ignoring a conflict won't
make it go away.
Great Listening Skills:
Be sure to listen to what the other person is saying. Remember that listening
involves more than just hearing the words. Try hard to understand the situation
from the other point of view. Ask questions to help you know what the other
person's needs and concerns are. Pay attention to nonverbal cues, such as body
language. If you each approach things with a clear understanding of the other's
perspective, you'll probably agree on a solution.
Choose Your Words Carefully:
Use "I" statements — "I think … I feel … I need … " — and avoid placing blame.
Being blamed for something usually only makes the other person angry. Be
positive — after all, you're trying to resolve the conflict.
Focus On The Issue:
If the problem is complex, focus on one issue at a time. In fact, most conflicts
have several components. Break the problem down so that a satisfactory
resolution won't seem unattainable.
Be Willing To Compromise:
As you approach the situation, recognize that you and the other person each
have something at stake. Find ways to meet in the middle, if
necessary.Compromise may be the best solution when issues are complex.
Take Action:
Once you've identified a solution, follow through on the agreed course of action.
Then follow up. Tension and conflict will probably remain if you don't keep the
lines of communication open. Check back from time to time
15. Tips Of Managing Work Place Conflicts
Build good relationships before conflict occurs.
Do not let small problems escalate; deal with them as they arise.
Respect differences.
Listen to others’ perspectives on the conflict situation.
Acknowledge feelings before focussing on facts.
Focus on solving problems, not changing people.
If you can’t resolve the problem, turn to someone who can help.
Remember to adapt your style to the situation and persons
involved .
16. How to Win at Conflict
Make avoiding the conflict less pleasurable than facing it and …
Make facing the conflict more pleasurable than avoiding it!
Whether you think you can or you can’t –
you’re right – Henry Ford