Dealing With Conflict

Introduction

Conflict is a process that begins when individuals perceives that they have been wronged by those they work with (Satterlee, 2009). The Conflict Management Survey provides the individual with a tool that will identify how they deal with conflict. The survey asks sixty questions and gives scores in five conflict management styles. A higher score shows a tendency to favor a particular conflict resolution style. This post will cover three of the five styles and practically apply them to learning outcomes.

Major Concepts

Competition

The goal of competition is winning and in some cases winning at all cost. “This is a power-oriented mode, in which one uses whatever power seems appropriate to win one’s own position –one’s ability to argue, one’s rank, economic sanctions” ("Conflict-Management Style,"n.d. ). Competition is not the most effective style of conflict management based on both parties being focused on themselves, instead on achieving the best solution for both (Satterlee, 2009).

Avoiding

Conflict has traditionally been viewed as detrimental for an organization and managers have tried to keep the peace instead of dealing with the issue (Satterlee, 2009). “When avoiding conflict the individual does not immediately pursue his own concerns or those of the other person” ("Conflict-Management Style,"n.d. p.6). “Those who use an avoiding style of conflict management are deficit of the awareness of the problem's importance or how to deal with it” (Maitlo, Bhutto, Anwar, & Mahar, 2012). The cause of avoiding conflict may not always be known but, the result of avoiding conflict does not solve the problem and makes the problem worse (Satterlee, 2009)

Compromising

Compromising is generally regarded as one of the most effective approaches to dealing with interpersonal conflict (Greg & Moeller, 2010). The goal of compromise is to find a solution where both parties are satisfied ("Conflict-Management Style,"n.d.). Compromise leads to each individual winning a little and losing a little. Compromise is easier to attain when each individual fully understands that all are working in everyone’s best interest (Satterlee, 2009).

Concept Application

Faith and Learning Integration

Scripture says that when a Christian is faced with conflict it is important to have a close relationship with God. “When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him” (Proverbs 16:7, King James Version). Scripture warns that a person should use caution regarding what is said during the conflict process. “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice” (Ephesians 4:31).

Organizational Communications and Management Assessment

Conflict must be managed in order to obtain organizational success. Managers cannot prevent all forms of conflict, and some even welcome it (Satterlee, 2009). The responsibility of the manager is to control conflict to keep the organization’s structure productive. An organization that consist of many groups needs managers who keep them inspired even though they may be going through conflict (Satterlee, 2009).

Conclusion

Conflict can be managed better when the manager tries the compromising approach. The Conflict Management Survey allows the manager to see if he is naturally leans toward a compromising style. That awareness of a manager’s conflict management style can allow the manager to make adjustments to benefit all parties involved.

References

Conflict-Management Style. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.afc-ispi.org/Repository/Conflict-Management%20survey.pdf

Greg, A. C., & Moeller, C. (2010). The psychosocial costs of conflict management styles. International Journal of Conflict Management, 21(4), 382-399. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/10444061011079930

Maitlo, Q., Bhutto, N. A., Anwar, N., & Mahar, S. (2012). Conflict management - home versus work. Interdisciplinary Journal of Contemporary Research in Business, 3(9), 712-720.

Satterlee, Anita. (2009). Organizational Management and Leadership: A Christian Perspective. Roanoke, VA: Synergistics, Inc.