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When Organizational Conflict Is A Good Thing
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Written by Robert Bacal
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Learn why conflict in organizations is not necessarily something to be feared or avoided, and how good conflict differs from destructive conflict.
Good organizational conflict is conflict and disagreement that allows the organization or people in it to grow, solve problems more effectively, and counterbalance the inertia that most organizations develop. Good organizational conflict helps people examine what they take for granted, and ineffective old ways of doing things. "Good" conflict also stimulates creativity and problem solving.
For organizations to benefit from conflict a few things need to happen. People in the organization need to be able to separate the personal, emotional aspects of conflict from the problem-solving parts. When people become overly invested in their positions, they tend to make organizational enemies as conflicts become more and more personalized. Personalization means that people forget they are on the same side and see each other as very personal enemies.
Second, people in the organization need the skills and understanding required to interact in conflict situations so they avoid escalating conflicts into the bad and ugly ranges. They need to understand how to "fight fair" and stay focused on problem solving.
This is an excerpt from Conflict Prevention In The Workplace. For more detailed help on workplace conflict, click here.
You can learn more about "fighting fair", by looking at a free preview of "Learn To Fight Fair Helpcard". |
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Conflict Management 
