Conflict Management

Conflict Management

Definition of conflict Causes of conflict Effects of conflict Methods for dealing with conflict Conflict situations Resolving conflicts Overview

What is conflict?

… when two or more individuals disagree about values, opinions or points of view Conflict occurs… It can range from quiet resentment To arguing and yelling To physical fighting

Poor communication Causes of Conflict- • Dissatisfaction with the leadership of another • Disagreement on issues

Uncertainty and change Causes of Conflict- • Change in leadership • Lack of openness

Positive when: develops clarification of an issue increases involvement initiates growth strengthens a relationship when creatively resolved helps increase productivity Is Conflict a Good Thing? Negative when: • Diverts energy from a real task • Destroys morale • Deepens differences • Produces bad behavior • Decreases productivity • Creates distrust

Dealing with Conflict • Suppression and smoothing • The use of power • Denial • Confrontation • Compromise

Conflict Situations Win-Win Win-Lose Lose-Lose

Identify the conflict Communicate and understand all sides of the conflict Consider the conflict and how it affects overall goals/mission Effective Conflict Resolution

Generate solutions, always depersonalizing the problem (Avoid “you” statements) Select the best course of action Evaluate that solution for effectiveness and choose another solution if necessary Effective Conflict Resolution

Remember… Act don’t React!!!

Remember… There is often more than one way to look at things

Remember… So change your perspective and look at things in a new way

Conflict is a disagreement between people Many different factors lead to conflicts Conflict can be either good or bad There are five ways that people usually handle conflicts Win-win is the best conflict situation Keep the goal in mind Summary

Questions???

Conflict Management