Conflict presents opportunity for improvement

Conflict management is a situation when the interests, needs, goals or values of involved parties interfere with one another and is common phenomenon in the workplace. Different stakeholders may have different priorities and it may involves team members,projects,department,client and organization, boss and subordinate,organizational needs visas personal needs. Conflict is not a bad thing because it presents opportunities for improvement.

Causes of Conflict Management

• ·         A party is required to engage in an activity that do not correspond with or her needs or interest.
• ·         A party hold preferences ,the satisfaction which is incompatible with another person’s implementation of his or her preferences;
• ·         A party possesses attitudes,values,skills,and goals that are relevant  in directing his or her behavior but are perceived to be exclusive of the attitudes,values,skills  and goals held by others;
• ·         A party wants some shared resources that is in short supply, so that all parties involve may not be satisfied.
• ·         Two parties are interdependent in the performance of functions or activities

To manage conflict well we have to remember that there are several conflict management strategies

Conflict Management Styles

• ·         Avoiding/withdrawing-the issue must be avoided when the manager attempted to solve the problem and it will only be effective when the other person is the expert. It will give the ability/time to focus on more important or more urgent issues instead.
•       Collaborating/win-win-the managers become a partner or pair with each other to achieve both of their goals. It leads to actual problem solving.
•        Accommodating/Smoothing-the manager cooperates fully to a high degree and it may be at the expense of the manager or work against his or her goals, objectives and desired outcomes.
•    Compromising- both party accept mutual solution which partially satisfies both parties. it will provide a temporary solution while still looking for win-win solution
•     Competing/forcing- this is the win –lose approach and the manager is confidant to achieve his or her own goals without seeking to cooperates with other employees. This may involve pushing one viewpoint at the expense of another or maintaining resistance to another person’ actions.it may provide quick resolution to conflict, increases self-esteem and draws respect when resistance or actions were to an aggression or hostility.

It is best to prevent conflict from ever taking place.