Conflict Resolution Stratagy

Conflict Resolution Strategies

Conflict Resolution Strategies are an important aspect when working in a team setting. When working with a team conflicts are going to arise. All conflicts have a resolution and there a few good ways to resolve them. Teams are often formed to work together towards a common goal. Getting to that goal will undoubtedly create a few conflicts. One team member might have a strong opinion about how something should be done, while another team member thinks strongly another way.

Many different types of conflict can exist when working with others. Difference of opinions and goals, miscommunication, Attitudes and values may differ, or personality clashes. Most often one of these sources of conflict will arise which can create a rift in the team dynamics. The best thing to do is try to manage the conflicts before they happen. Knowing that a conflict may happen is the first step to managing it; once it does arise a few steps can be taken to resolve the conflict.

Simple steps can be taken to assure that the conflict gets managed. The conflict should be stated in a calm and rational, respectful, manner. Sometimes just hearing something said in a different or calm way will resolve the conflict because the meaning could have been misunderstood the first time it was discussed. Once all team members understand why a conflict has occurred then the team can work together to resolve the disagreement.

Five conflict resolution strategies are helpful in resolving a disagreement between partners, by using competition, compromising, accommodation, collaboration, and avoidance conflicts should be able to be resolved. First is competition, this strategy should be used when no popular choice is available. This is a win-lose situation and should only be used when absolutely no other way is obtainable to resolve the conflict. Secondly, is compromising. This occurs when both parties accept a middle of the road position on the subject. No one is right and no one is wrong. The conflicting parties’ give and take to achieve the goal. The third strategy is accommodation. This will require that one person back off his or her issues for the sake of the team. It may be the only way to get to the end goal with peace. Another strategy is collaboration. Collaboration can be obtained by the two opposing parties bringing their ideas together to achieve the goal. The last strategy is avoidance, sometimes conflicts arrive that if put to the side and avoided will help the well being of the team. This should be done when issues cause the team members to get into arguments (Porter, 2003).

Collaboration is clearly the best possible resolution for resolving conflict, but it does not always happen as simple as it should. Each conflict will have different resolution depending of what is being argued and the personality’s that are disagreeing. Some easy steps to follow in order to carry out one of these strategies are to control his or her emotions, understand exactly what is being argued, not to argue over the simple things, and to try to come to a common goal before things get too heated. Working through these steps will help to come to a conclusion in the conflict and reach a resolution.

The very best way to handle conflict within a team would be to prevent to conflict from happening in the first place. A few techniques that can be used to curb any conflict that may arise are: Team building, when team members set clear goals, ground rules, and establish what expectations are to be followed. Diversity Understanding should be expected throughout the group. Each member may come from a different background, gender, race, religion. Each team member will have different personalities and opinions because of their beliefs, or background. Consideration of everyone’s opinion because of their diversity should be understood. Open Communication, the teams should be able to talk openly to each other. Phone calls, emails, and open group discussions should be a welcomed part