CONFLICT IN THE WORKPLACE
Workplace conflict is an unavoidable consequence of professional life. Each person can choose the own reasonable ways to deal with conflict.
1. There are many causes or reasons for conflict in any work setting. Some of the primary causes are:
· Poor communication: different communication styles can lead to misunderstandings between employees or between employee and manager. Lack of communication drives conflict ‘underground’.
· Different values: any workplace is made up of individuals who see the world differently. Conflict occurs when there is a lack of acceptance and understanding of these differences.
· Differing interests: conflict occurs when individual workers ‘fight’ for their personal goals, ignoring organizational goals and organizational well-being.
· Scarce resources: too often, employees feel they have to compete for available resources in order to do their job. In a resource scarce environment, this causes conflicts – despite awareness of how scarce resources may be.
· Personality distintion: All work environments are made up of differing personalities. Unless colleagues understand and accept each other’s approach to work and problem-solving, conflict will occur.
· Poor performance: When one or more individuals within a work unit are not performing - not working up to potential – and this is not addressed, conflict is inevitable.
2. There are a number of ways to deal with workplace conflict:
· Avoidance: Try to put the conflict go away.
· Collaboration: working together to find a mutually beneficial solution.
· Compromise: finding the middle ground whereby a ‘little is given and little is gotten’.
· Competing: ‘may the best person win’.
· Accommodation: surrendering our own needs and wishes to please the other person.
3. Conflict Resolution:
· Clearly articulate the causes of the conflict – openly acknowledging there will be differing perceptions of the problem.
· Make a clear statement of why you want the conflict resolved and reasons to work on conflict.
· Communication of how you want the conflict resolved.
· Address the issues face-to-face
· Stick to the issues. In trying to resolve conflict, it is tempting to resort to name calling or bring up issues from the past. It is important to address specific behaviors and situations if change is to take place.
· Take time out if necessary. In the resolution of a conflict, our emotions may interfere with arriving at a productive resolution. If this transpires, take a time-out and resume resolving the conflict at another designated time.
Avoiding conflict is often the easiest way to deal with it. It does not however make it go away but rather pushes it underground, only to have it resurface in a new form. By actively resolving conflict when it occurs, we can create a more positive work environment for everyone.
Subject: Conflict In The Workplace 
Thu Apr 24, 2014 11:04 pm
