Conflict Management
Introduction
Conflict in business is a situation where multiple positions, interests and needs meet and it is important that managers deal with all conflicts rationally, impartially and effectively. Strategies include:
Competing/Forcing (Win-Lose) Competing is a conflict management strategy where one individual is acting in assertive way in order to achieve their goals with little to no cooperation with others. Advantages Appropriate for Emergencies, when quick resolution is required and is justified. It can be justified for protecting your own rights, resisting aggression/pressure. Disadvantages Negatively affects relationships with others. Competing can cause a precedence of Forcing techniques for others. It does not take full advantage of the strengths of all the sides’ positions. Collaborating (Win-Win) Collaborating is a high assertive and cooperative strategy that sees conflict resolution as an opportunity to come to a mutually beneficial result for everyone involved. Advantages Reinforces mutual trust and respect and builds a foundation for future collaboration. Gives shared responsibility for outcomes. It can lead to actually solving the core of the problem. Disadvantages Requires a commitment from all involved to look for a mutually acceptable solution. It can require more time and effort than other methods, and may not be practical for problems that have crucial timing and a fast response is required. Avoidance/Withdrawing Avoidance is a low cooperation and low assertiveness strategy where conflict is sidestepped or postponed and no individual’s interest or concerns are pursued. Advantages If an individual is trying an assertively force a solution it may be appropriate to withdraw and attempt to move to a compromise solution at a later date. Low stress solution to trivial or non-pressing problems, especially when more urgent problems need to be addressed. May be used to better prepare and collect information before seeking a solution. Disadvantages This style requires skill and experience. This can lead to loss of position on a problem. May negatively affects relationships with others. Compromising (Lose-Lose) Compromise is a restrained strategy that seeks to appease everyone to a degree. Advantages Can be good to reach a short term solution for complex problems or if time makes other solutions impractical. May develop confidence between the involved parties and lessen tension or pressure from conflict. It may be a suitable solution if Competing or Collaborating styles are unsuccessful. Disadvantages This can result in no party being happy with the conclusion. It does not build long term trust. Compromising requires supervising to secure the arranged outcome. Accommodating/Smoothing (Lose-Win) An individual concedes their position in favour of others. Advantages It can be useful in providing short term relief from conflict or to protect more important issues or concerns. Appropriate to be used when the continued pursuit of interests can lead to disadvantageous outcomes. Disadvantages This style requires skill and experience. There is a danger of setting precedence for future problems. It may negatively affect others confidence in your ability to manage assertive individuals. (University of Wisconsin-Madison, nd.)
(Southern Nazarene University, nd.) (Personality Explorer, nd.) (The Foundation Coalition, nd.) (Barker, 2015) |
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