In today’s diverse world, effective conflict management is an extremely important skill to develop. In this essay I will discuss the importance of healthy communication in relationships and the workplace. I will address certain areas of conflict and offer solutions derived from a variety of sources utilizing theoretical, and practical sources, as well as personal experience. There is a wealth of information available about managing conflict, including how to deal with destructive conflict weather in a marriage, the workplace, or family of origin. Research and personal stories suggest that sometimes there are significant difficulties later in life that include poor health and well-being caused by destructive conflict. So then, how or when should a person determine if they should minimize conflict their lives? I believe the answer lies within the individual person. We all learn thoughts and behaviors from our environment that can limit us as human beings. Sometimes what is learned is destructive and can be ingrained in our lives, and live life unaware of its destructive effects. However, when someone gains awareness to the presence of the destructive conflict, then it is time to make a decision; stay in conflict, or transform the damage. Self-awareness is an important element in the process of transformation. It’s the ability to be in touch with oneself and learn how conflict has affected their life in the past, and determine if conflict serves their life well in the present. Then one can develop ways to minimize conflict in their future. I am an adult child of an alcoholic, and I learned destructive thoughts and behaviors from my family of origin, that left me with a great deal of unresolved conflict and co-dependency. However,... ... middle of paper ... ...by working together with support, respect and understanding for everyone. The relationships will have balanced power and negotiation. Many relationships can be restored and transformed by practicing effective conflict management. If the relationship has commitment, communication and genuine caring it’s probably worth investing in. Weather dealing with a difficult boss, co-worker, husband or child, life will bring opportunities to face conflict. However, when the skills from effective conflict management are utilized, respectful, cooperative, relationships that communicate effectively, and resolve conflict peacefully can be built. Works Cited Rosenberg, M. B. (2005). Non-violent communication A language of life (2nd ed.). Encinitas, CA: PuddleDancer Press. Wilmot, W. W., & Hocker, J. L. (2011). Interpersonal conflict (8th ed.). New York, New York: McGraw-Hill.
We all go thru different phases and life changes in our lives creating more needs and solutions to our problems. Many of us handle conflict negatively and think conflict is bad. Therefore, the best way to resolve conflict is learning how to handle things in a better way. This means understanding the person and understanding what has created the conflict and miscommunication. The book, “Difficult Conversations,” helps us learn different perspectives and needs to our conflicts and learning how to resolve conflict and what has created people to have different standards in their personal culture.
There is no doubt that conflict occurs in every human institution including professional, unions, and educational and vocational environment. However effective exchange ideas through communication can greatly minimize the effects of marital conflict. Studies have suggested that couples remain married if they successfully manage their interpersonal communication on the basis of accommodating individual differences, problem resolving skills, forgiveness, collective decision making, empathy and above all positive conflict management.
O’Rourke, J. & Collins, S. (2008). Managing Conflict and Workplace Relationships. New York: Cengage Learning.
Abigail, R. A., & Cahn, D. D. (2011). Managing conflict through communication. 4th Ed. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
Conflict theory is a perspective derived from the work of Karl Marx, who believe that society is a dynamic entity and it is constantly undergoing changes driven by class conflict, who holds different interests, ideas and values, for competing scare resources and aiming to maximize their own-benefits. According to the founder of conflict theory, Karl Marx, society are divided into two category: the have and the do not have, the latter is dominated by the former ones who are those people with power in hands and with the greatest political, economic and social resources. Conflict theory assumes that society makes the norms to serve the interests of the powerful.
Hocker & Wilmot, 2007, Poole, & Stutman, 2005 Folger and 2007 Cahn& Abigail. "Interpersonal Conflict and Conflict Management." Devito, Joseph A. The Interpersonal Communication Book. Boston: Pearson, Allyn & Bacon, 2009. 276.
Conerly (2004), further states two things attribute to the way conflict is managed. One is the importance of meeting your own goals and the other is the importance you attribute to relationships and wanting to get along with others.
Four sources of conflict presented by Lamberton & Minor (2014) are content, values, negotiation-of-selves and institutionalized will be discussed. Awareness of and knowing what causes conflict is important in strategizing ideas and plans to resolve them. Explanations and examples of these four sources will follow. The outcome and process of resolving conflict can affect what direction and success we achieve personally and
Interpersonal conflict is very common with many relationships. It occurs when two people can not meet in the middle or agree on a discussion. Cooperation is key to maintaining a healthy debate. More frequently; when dealing with members of your own family, issues arise that include conflict and resolution. During this process our true conflict management style appears “out of thin air”. (Steve A. Beebe, 2008, p. 191).
The conflict theoretical perspective, created by Karl Marx, is when a person in a position of power, ruling class, controls a person, such as the Bourgeoisie, to extract value from the working class of society, such as Proletariat. Alienation is the reason why this perspective is to become possible. An example of Alienation is when a proletariat is suffering in life and does not have possession of materialistic or non-materialistic items. The desire for Alienation changes the cultural, educational, and emotional sociality. This focuses as an advantage of producing talent and increasing profits for the ruling class.
Many people enjoy working or participating in a group or team, but when a group of people work together chances are that conflicts will occur. Hazleton describes conflict as the discrepancy between what is the perceived reality and what is seen as ideal (2007). “We enter into conflicts reluctantly, cautiously, angrily, nervously, confidently- and emerge from them battered, exhausted, sad, satisfied, triumphant. And still many of us underestimate or overlook the merits of conflict- the opportunity conflict offers every time it occurs” (Schilling, nd.). Conflict does not have to lead to a hostile environment or to broken relationships. Conflict if resolved effectively can lead to a positive experience for everyone involved. First, there must be an understanding of the reasons why conflicts occur. The conflict must be approached with an open mind. Using specific strategies can lead to a successful resolution for all parties involved. The Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument states “there are five general approaches to dealing with conflict. The five approaches are avoidance, accommodation, competition, compromise, and collaboration. Conflict resolution is situational and no one approach provides the best or right approach for all circumstances” (Thomas, 2000).
Often, conflict resolution is straightforward and easily remedied. Apparently, we don't all share the same values, and some values are simply not compatible with others. With that said, resolving conflict requires an open mind and an evaluation of one's own values. Depending on the priority and importance of one's values, a compromise could prevail or may, unfortunately, lead to an unavoidable impasse. Still, most situations require some form of compromise, barring a trade-off of one's core values, a negotiation is preferred and is usually in the best interest of the majority.
Thomas, K. W. (1992). Conflict and conflict management: Reflections and update. . Journal Of Organizational Behavior, 13(3), 265-274.
Any conflict can be resolved through correct and effective communication.
Conflict is unavoidable and connected to a world where different ideas and opinions are challenged. Negative conflict occurs when voices are not expressed appropriately, discussions are not in control or different parties reject moving forward with a solution. There is difficulty resolving disagreements because there are multiple reactions to disputes. However, a positive conflict supports debates without a destructive outcome. They improve communication, introduce principles that are important to others, and reduce chaos. On the other hand, the approach that a person uses to address conflict dictates the outcome they receive. Methods for resolving conflict include avoiding the problem, smoothing out a situation, competing against the ideas