Conflict Management Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Conflict Management - Term Paper Example All these can be categorized to fall under four different causes of conflict – personality, leadership, communication and the work environment (Psychometrics 2009). Poor leadership plays a significant role in generating conflict. In nutshell, when there is clash of values, conflicts occur. Positive and negative conflict   Conflicts can reduce morale, lower productivity, increase absenteeism and lead to long-term confrontations leading to violence and crime (Gatlin, Wysocki and Kepner 2008). Conflicts increase group-tension and lead to negative emotions. It can also trigger the desire to abandon the project mid-way, and lead to antagonism, frustration and stress (USDA 2005). Not all of these conflicts that are likely to arise are negative. Conflicting perceptions, for instance, can give rise to something entirely new and creative. New solution to an existing problem implies that conflicts can be positive. Conflicts can help individuals evolve with time and experience. It can lead to better cohesion within the group; it can lead to growth and change. Conflicts act as painful stimulus that urge one to act and grow. Conflicts also indicate commitment to organizational goals as all involved are trying to find the best solution (Stack 2011). It promotes challenge and increases efforts. Conflict is essential for the continued development of human beings (Pedler 1977). The consequences of conflict depend upon how the people involved choose to approach it. Conflict process Since conflict does not always have negative consequences, the first step should be to identify the problem, and then the causes of conflict. Conflict is a process and involves five steps. The prelude stage is the frustration or the latent stage where the variables conducive to the conflict are present – the people, the environment and the relationship between the people (Cahn and Abigail 2007 p43). The triggering phase marks the beginning of the perception of the conflict and could st art with something as insignificant as criticism. The initiation phase is the time when personal realization occurs through feelings of anxiety and tension that there exists some conflict. During the differentiation phase conflict becomes evident to others around, even those that are not involved. Strategies are devised and participants work on dealing with problems and issues. This is followed by the last phase known as the resolution phase when the parties involved agree to arrive at some conclusion which then gives rise to a new phase. However, all these require effective communication methods. II. Communication in conflict   Communication can be complex even within a single culture and society. It has pervasive problems among nations. However, when two cultures are involved, communication is even more complicated. One of the strategies to resolve conflicts is the S-TLC system. Stop - One has to take time out (Stop) and not continuously engage the mind in conflict. Think - The mind has to then engage in thinking rationally instead of jumping to conclusion about others. One should learn not to take things personally. Listen – In conflicts people tend to justify their own actions and become defensive. However, one should devote time to listen to others, their view points because perhaps listening itself could provide solution to the conflict. Communicate –