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Effective Conflict Management
August 2009 | Volume 7 Issue 8
Conflict in the workplace can have negative repercussions on an organization’s productivity, innovation, retention and turnover rates. But not all conflict has to be harmful to an organization. In this issue of CW Bulletin, our experts reveal tips and strategies for effectively addressing conflict, including adopting a no-blame approach and honing your conflict resolution skills.
Natasha Nicholson
Executive Editor
Amanda Aiello
Associate Editor |
Features
CONSTRUCTIVE CONFLICT
by Beverly Smallwood, Ph.D.
Once I worked with a team on resolving a conflict that had been perpetuated for 32 years! No one involved could even remember how the conflict in a particular work area of the manufacturing plant had started, but the grudges had manifested themselves over the years in diminished productivity, production bottlenecks, high stress and low employee morale. Conflict does not have to be destructive. Here are some ways to turn destructive conflict into constructive conflict.
NO-BLAME APPROACH
by Alan Sharland
One of the greatest obstacles to resolving a difficult situation or conflict in the workplace—or in our personal relationships—is blame. However, with a no-blame approach to any conflict situation in the workplace, the focus becomes one of learning from mistakes, disagreements or failures. The most successful, and the most sustainable, organizations adopt approaches that welcome failure and mistakes as opportunities for learning.
WORKPLACE CONFLICT
by Anna Maravelas and Benjamin Martin
We’ve all seen situations where projects are delayed or derailed as a result of miscommunication, conflict and mistrust. They occur all the time, they’re not fun and they’re not good for business. Here are some ways to prevent workplace conflict from boiling over into a costly crisis.
CAUSES OF WORKPLACE CONFLICT
by Carol Bowser
The best internal communication systems can break down. The top performers in an organization can be a pain to work with when they push for their own agendas and time lines. Even organizations listed as the “Best Places to Work” suffer from workplace conflict. Unless the hidden sources that cause and escalate workplace tension and conflict are addressed, bad things happen: Conflict escalates, people suffer, managers lose credibility and business deteriorates.
RESOLUTION SKILLS
by Tammy Lenski, Ph.D.
Good conflict resolution skills don’t just make life a little smoother. They can also help advance your career by influencing others’ perception of your leadership potential. While we can all point to someone who has moved up the career ladder despite an abundance of bad behaviors, odds are you won’t be like them if you have more career-stalling conflict behaviors than career-enhancing ones.
Columns
Urban Photography
by Suzanne Salvo
I love street photography. Whether wandering through the ancient narrow lanes of a tiny Italian hill-town or strolling down Fifth Avenue in New York City, urban environments offer an ever changing visual canvas to stimulate and motivate photo inspiration.
Expanding Your Team:
The right virtual assistant could be invaluable
by Daria Steigman
As a solopreneur, I recognized early that building a successful business meant I needed to focus on those tasks that made the most sense and delegate or eliminate those that would distract me or eat up valuable time. But many independent consultants and small business owners are notoriously bad at delegating, whether it’s because they don’t want to spend the money or they don’t know where to start.
- “Preparing CWT Internally for External Greatness,” Development Communication Solutions
- “Eskom Western Cape DSM Rollout,” Eskom
Communication in the News
Related Resources provides additional articles and resources for understanding this month’s topic of effective conflict management. You can also find some of these links alongside each corresponding feature article for quick reference. Links include:
- “Tips for Resolving Workplace Conflict,” by Paul Larson
- “Important Tips for Conflict in the Workplace,” by Kelly Graves
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This issue sponsored by:
Walden University is an accredited online institution that for more than 38 years has provided an engaging learning experience for working professionals. Our mission attracts extraordinary professionals, all sharing a common desire to make a positive social impact.
The College of Management and Technology offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degree programs including a B.S. in Communication, M.B.A., M.S. in Leadership and Doctor of Business Administration.
Interested in sponsoring an issue of CW Bulletin? Find out how to become a sponsor.
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