Conflict management Flashcards
Reasons for conflict
Lack of or poor communication
Resource allocation
People not respecting rules or policies
Power struggle between staff members
Unsure of respective roles
Different cultures and different values
Differences in personalities.
Differ about the priorities
If one staff member is not performing well
2 types of conflict
- functional
-dysfunctional
functional conflict
When a conflict situation is handled in a manner that has a positive
outcome
dysfunctional conflict
If the conflict situation
leads to a decline in productivity or another negative outcome, it has become dysfunctional. It is often a result of people’s misperceptions,their ambitions and egos and/or an unwillingness to compromise.
ADVANTAGES:
=The development of new ideas and improved creativity may be the result of people arguing over the current status quo and how things are done. This may result in positive change.
=If conflict is resolved in a constructive way that gets people talking to one another,even between people who believed they had little in common, an improved and positive understanding may develop, ultimately resulting in an increase in organisational vitality (a healthier organisation).
=Conflict between two groups in the organisation may help people to establish a group identity when it becomes an “us vs. them” situation.
=When the reasons for the disagreements are investigated, it may help to identify problems.
=Conflict may lead to improved communication and a better understanding of both sides.
disadvantages of dysfunctional conflict
-hinder group performance
-waste resources
-be counterproductive
-undermine group cohesiveness
possible outcomes of DYSFUNCTIONAL
CONFLICT
= it diverts focus from the task at hand
=lower staff morale and increased turnover
=sometimes violence
=waste time and other resources
=higher levels of stress and anxiety thus leading to low levels of job satisfaction.
=blaming each other, backstabbing and gossiping.
a climate of mistrust that has a negative impact on teamwork and cooperation.
ways of approaching conflict
-accommodating
-avoiding
-collaborating/cooperate
-competing
-compromising
Accommodating
The person will be cooperative and not assertive. He/she will probably neglect
his/her own interest and even sacrifice some of his/her beliefs
Avoiding
The person ignores the conflict by withdrawing from the situation or post
postponing dealing with it till a later stage or avoids the situation by getting
someone else to deal with it.
Collaborating/coope
rating
The parties try to work with each other in a situation that fully satisfies everybody
involved.
Competing
Means that the individual is not prepared to give in, instead he/she will do
everything in his/her power to win
Compromising
Means that the parties are trying to find an acceptable solution to the mutual
satisfaction of both parties.
WORKPLACE FORUM?
A mechanism whereby employees and employers can consult and make joint
decisions on certain issues.
who does the WPF consist of:
of employee representatives and management only
established if the business employs more than 100 employees.
