Question

Using a practical example, what are the benefits and potential problems associated with conflict? What are examples of strategies that can be applied for resolving conflict?

must be 250 words or more, please do not respond if you cannot meet the count

Answer 1

Conflict is nothing but the situation or circumstances that occur due to disagreement between two person, a person and group or two groups. The reasons for conflict situations are difference in ideas, opinions, values or attitude. Conflict can be good or bad based on the situation.

Some major reasons for intergroup conflict to occur are:-

• Difference in ideas, views and thought process.
• Lack of appropriate communication
• No support from group leader
• Unachievable goal
• Inappropriate organizational culture

Conflict can be considered as bad when:

• People are not ready for change
• It creates misunderstanding
• People are not ready to cooperate
• Individuals built the feeling of defeat

Example - Conflict situation between employee and manager which did not get resolved on time. This delay resulted in poor performance of the employee and resulted in job dissatisfaction. The employee later resigned the company.

A good conflict encourages open-mindedness by acting as a catalyst. A conflict should be taken in a positive way as it results in

• New thinking – Different point of views will give new and innovative ideas.
• Healthy discussion- Different ideas will raise questions which will give more clarity.
• Good interpersonal relationship- People will come to a mutual understanding which will help in building relationship.
• Creativity- Open mindedness of individuals will result in creative thinking.
• Remove stagnation- Conflict is a positive way to eliminate stagnation which will result in growth.

Example - Conflict situation between employee and manager because on over-time issue. The manager conducted meeting and took input from the employee. The manager tried to understand his situation and found that due to family issues the employee is not ready to do over-time. The manager gave him the solution to do over time every alternative day. In this way he can balance both work and family life.

The five styles of conflict management are as follows:-
•   Accommodating
•   Avoiding
•   Collaborating
•   Compromise
•   Confrontation

Accommodating –

• It means being cooperative and adjust to the situation by neglecting their own point and allowing the other party to put forward their point and agree to it.
• This result from the lack of assertiveness.
• The style is effective if the person wants to keep the relationship good with the other person or if the other person’s point is better than his own.

Avoiding –

• It means ignoring the conflict and not being serious about resolving it.
• The person does not participate in the problem-solving with the thought process that it will go away on its own.
• So the differences between the parties are never resolved.

Collaborating –

• It means coordinating and cooperating with the other party to resolve the issue.
• This is done by understanding the viewpoint of the other party, expressing their own concern and come to a solution that is taken on a common ground.
• This creates a sense of satisfaction in both the parties and gives rise to a win-win situation.

Compromise –

• It means coming to a solution which is partially satisfactory for both the parties.
• The only focus is to come to an intermediate solution by understanding each other’s concern.
• This is the lose-lose approach as both the parties are not satisfied completely with the solution.

Competing –

• It means being assertive to prove your point right without cooperating with the other party.
• This approach is appropriate in emergency situations and people are ready to support your decision.This is a win-lose situation as the other party’s viewpoint are not considered.

The best team meditation technique is collaboration. It is the process in which the parties involved in conflict meet in order to resolve their differences and come to an agreement. Collaboration is an important technique to resolve concern and resistance. This can be done by

• Being strategic and choose words wisely
• Preparing well and doing proper homework
• Setting high expectations
• Being patient in listening
• Maintaining integrity

It is important to communicate effectively, cooperate with the parties, listen appropriately, focus on the goal, identifying the issue and evaluate effectively.