Question

What is the most effective conflict management method? Why? Analyze your own conflict management style. what types of conflict were prevalent, and at what levels? What role does perception and communication play in conflict? How does conflict affect motivation?

Answer 1

The collaborative approach is always good to find a resolution that consist of various point od views to negotiate for an issue with the solution by reinforcing mutual trust and assurance. This is also called as ‘Win-Win’ approach. But based on the available resources, it has been mentioned that the problem solving, or confrontation is the best effective method where conflict is treated like an issue to figure out the solution by having the root cause analysis for the conflict motive and discussions among the parties.

There are other many ways the conflict can be resolved such as -

- Avoidance: by avoiding the conflict and let the party resolve the conflict by itself. This is useful when the issues are not that important and with less details.

- Accommodate (Smoothing): by giving importance to the other party to avoid the difficult discussion in order to have a temporary resolution to have sufficient time to come back with permanent remedy.

- Compromising: by reconciling and having mutual benefits by both the parties such as ‘you get something, and I get something’.

- Directing: This is more like ‘Win-Lose’ to have a quick solution and the parties involved in the conflict are not very imperative.

Perception plays a vital role in how the message is the delivered (Communication) during the conflict resolution differently with different set of people. There are number of elements which can create perception which influences the response during any conflict situation. This could be due to varying race, cultural history, gender, present knowledge, impression created during the conversation, any misunderstanding etc.

The problem with conflict is that it influences the productivity, workplace depression, frustrations, deteriorate the individual performance and this completely demotivates the employee. If the conflict is tackled in a constructive fashion then this can lead to the motivation at workplace and boost employee motivation levels.