Learning How to Deal with Conflict

In any environment where two or more people interact, conflict is unavoidable and is a normal part of everyday life. Learning how to deal with conflict is crucial. When conflict is mismanaged, it can cause destruction in an otherwise functional environment; on the other hand, when handled in a respectful, positive way, conflict provides an opportunity to strengthen the bond between the people involved.

Conflict arises when people disagree over their values, motivations, perceptions, ideas, or desires. Sometimes these differences may appear trivial, but when a conflict triggers strong feelings, a deep personal need is often at the core of the problem. These needs can be a need to feel safe and secure, or a need to feel respected and valued. To ensure that a safe working environment conflict resolution strategies, tools and techniques must be implemented. By learning these skills, you can keep your personal and professional relationships strong and growing.

Successful conflict resolution encourages individuals to work through certain issues; one issue, generational friction can still be a concern. With the newest generation, the Millennials, taking over the office, conflict resolution strategies needs to be revised and aligned to support some of the growing frustration due to misunderstanding of this new generation.

Background Information

This group born during 1980 and 2000 and known also as Generation Y, has never experienced a world without computer technology. Because of this, most Millennials don’t face much of a learning curve in regards to computer skills, software use, or social media application compared to their Generation X, Baby Boomer, and Traditionalist counter parts. The generalization of this generation ...

... middle of paper ...

...D. D. (2011). Managing conflict through communication. 4th Ed. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.

Bercovitch, J., & Jackson, R. (2009). Conflict resolution in the twenty-first century: Principles, methods, and approaches. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press

Cottle, S. (2006). Mediatized conflict: Developments in media and conflict studies. Maidenhead, Berkshire, England: Open University Press.

Rahim, M. A., & International Association for Conflict Management. (1990). Theory and research in conflict management. New York: Praeg

Rainer, T. S., & Rainer, J. W. (2011). The millennials: Connecting to America's largest generation. Nashville, Tenn: B&H Pub. Group.

Wallensteen, P. (2007). Understanding conflict resolution: War, peace, and the global system. London [u.a.: SAGE.

Wilmot, W., & Hocker, J. (2011). Interpersonal conflict. 8th Ed. New York: McGraw-Hill.