Get into the Game with Conflict Management

In the new workplace of the 21^st century, change is not only a given, the rate of change is accelerating. Not only is the workplace changing – so are the rules of the game. But what makes this playing field so different? Accelerated diversity including religion, race, inter-generational workforce, and greater virtual social interaction – all have their part. This diversification comes with economic challenges leading to greater outsourcing, right sizing, facility closures and mergers and competition from a wide variety of sources.

Although diversity offers greater opportunities to enhance an organization’s performance, it also brings new challenges, rules, and laws; all of which must be handled properly. Among these are the needs to appropriately value diversity, balance individual needs and group fairness, handle resistance to change, cultivate teamwork and open communication as well as resolve the increasing conflict situations. At the same time, managers must stay focused on performance, retain valued employees, and take advantage of new opportunities.

One of the great advantages of the global economy is the new breed of virtual worker and global virtual teams, taking advantage of competencies and skills from anywhere in the world at any time. As a result, teams can develop greater competencies to solve problems and create solutions. But with these synergies come cultural differences and the need to establish trust and rapport. With the whole world just a click away you do not want to take any chances by not resolving conflicts as soon as they arise.

Organizational responses to dealing with these challenges sometime place greater stress on employees struggling to understand their role in the new workplace. This can spark conflict between individuals and between employees and supervisors.

Two areas that can improve the odds of winning the games are:

1.    Become more knowledgeable  and proficient in the area of interpersonal skills; and

2.    Improve conflict resolution skills

Solving issues quickly and effectively will go a long way toward greater satisfaction within the workgroup. But it also involves a great deal of listening, the ability to articulate the issues, questioning skills, and creating acceptable solutions.

Through effective leadership training, most of today’s new issues can be resolved. Effective conflict resolution means leaders should be able to:

• Accept conflict as an inevitable part of all work situations, and deal with it in order to maintain individual and team focus and productivity.
• Recognize  the positive and negative aspects of conflicts, and leverage conflict  to everyone’s advantage
• Distinguish between the two major sources of conflict  so that it can be done fairly and effectively
• Establish a cooperative atmosphere to resolve conflicts when they arise.

Through effective communication and resolution techniques, leaders can help individuals understand another point of view and move beyond conflict.

And now if this is a subject you wish to pursue further please visit our online course on Resolving Conflict by Clicking Here.