By: Sayalee Pote

What is CONFLICT ?What is CONFLICT ?

Conflict may be defined as a Conflict may be defined as a disagreement or struggledisagreement or struggle between people with opposing needs, ideas, beliefs, between people with opposing needs, ideas, beliefs,

values or goals. values or goals.

Is Conflict Essential Is Conflict Essential ??

Without conflict, growth is limited. Without conflict, growth is limited.

Conflicts are great catalysts for Conflicts are great catalysts for growth.growth.

Without conflict there is no real reason Without conflict there is no real reason to change.to change.

“ “ Show me a workplace without conflict Show me a workplace without conflict and I’ll show you a workplace where no and I’ll show you a workplace where no one gives a damn! ”one gives a damn! ”

-Alexander K.-Alexander K.

So if Conflict is essential then why So if Conflict is essential then why do we need to Resolve it ?do we need to Resolve it ?

The answer to this lies in the fact thatThe answer to this lies in the fact that

CONFLICTS ARE PRODUCTIVECONFLICTS ARE PRODUCTIVE

only if only if HANDLED CORRECTLYHANDLED CORRECTLY ! !

““Unresolved conflict can Unresolved conflict can be be as poisonous to the as poisonous to the productivity of your productivity of your company company as the virus is to the as the virus is to the computer.”computer.”

Five Different Approaches to a Five Different Approaches to a Conflict:Conflict:

1.1. AvoidanceAvoidance

2.2. AccommodationAccommodation

3.3. CompromiseCompromise

4.4. CompetitionCompetition

5.5. CollaborationCollaboration

CCONFLICT ONFLICT RRESOLUTIONESOLUTION

Conflict Resolution is the process of Conflict Resolution is the process of attempting to resolve a dispute.attempting to resolve a dispute.

1.1. Do Not ProcrastinateDo Not Procrastinate

Do it now!Do it now! Handle conflict sooner rather than Handle conflict sooner rather than

later. It only gets worse with time.later. It only gets worse with time. Be willing to Resolve the conflict.Be willing to Resolve the conflict.

2. Ask2. Ask

Manage your emotionsManage your emotions Remain CalmRemain Calm ListenListen EmpathizeEmpathize

3. Design your Approach3. Design your Approach

Know your needsKnow your needs Co-operative power with Appropriate Co-operative power with Appropriate

AssertivenessAssertiveness Development of optionsDevelopment of options The WIN-WIN approach.The WIN-WIN approach.

4. Mediation4. Mediation

Mediators facilitate the process by:Mediators facilitate the process by:

1.1. Understanding each participants Understanding each participants perspective.perspective.

2.2. Setting ground rules for Setting ground rules for communication.communication.

3.3. Equalizing power.Equalizing power.

“ “ Change means movement. Change means movement.

Movement means Friction.Movement means Friction.

Only in the frictionless vacuum of a Only in the frictionless vacuum of a

nonexistent abstract world, can nonexistent abstract world, can movement or movement or

change occur withoutchange occur without

that abrasive friction of conflict.” that abrasive friction of conflict.”

-Saul Alinsky-Saul Alinsky