5 ways to manage conflict:
2 5 ways to manage conflict Avoidance Competition (A) Accommodation (B) Compromise (C) Collaboration (D)
Conflict Continuum:
3 Conflict Continuum I win, you lose (competition—A) I lose or give in (accommodate — B) We both get something (compromise—C) We both “win”(collaborate—D) A B C D
Competition:
4 Competition Plus The winner is clear Winners usually experience gains Minus Establishes the battleground for the next conflict May cause worthy competitors to withdraw or leave the organization
Accommodation:
5 Accommodation Plus Curtails conflict situation Enhances ego of the other Minus Sometimes establishes a precedence Does not fully engage participants
Compromise:
6 Compromise Plus Shows good will Establishes friendship Minus No one gets what they want May feel like a dead end
Collaboration:
7 Collaboration Plus Everyone “wins” Creates good feelings Minus Hard to achieve since no one knows how Often confusing since players can “win” something they didn’t know they wanted
What This Means:
8 What This Means Managing conflict means you need to develop several styles and decide which is valuable at any given point of conflict
Tips for Managing Workplace Conflict:
9 Tips for Managing Workplace Conflict Build good relationships before conflict occurs Do not let small problems escalate; deal with them as they arise Respect differences Listen to others’ perspectives on the conflict situation Acknowledge feelings before focus s ing on facts Focus on solving problems, not changing people If you can’t resolve the problem, turn to someone who can help Remember to adapt your style to the situation and persons involved