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What exactly is conflict? Conflict is the result of differences between two or more people, two or more groups, or a person and a group (Conflict Management, 2005). An interesting concept to consider is that there can be real conflict and not real conflict. Not real conflict is a perceived difference when in reality there is not a difference. However, not real conflict can be just as powerful as real conflict. Not real conflict is sometimes referred to as perceived conflict. Conflict can also be internal. There can be conflict in the workplace, in the individual's home life, and can cause great psychological stress. However, conflict can be beneficial and help individuals grow. No one should hide from conflict. Negotiations can help manage conflict in a productive and safe way. Negotiation is a "mutual discussion or arrangement of the terms of a transaction or an agreement" (dictionary.com). Negotiations are necessary for both parties of a conflict to come to a consensus and retain normalcy in the workplace.
Why should one study managing conflict and negotiation in organizational behavioral context? The answer is simple. Conflict is everywhere and the workplace is no exception. Business only moves forward when individuals can work together and progress. This cannot be done if there is a source of conflict. However, this source of conflict can be a positive turning point and can results in growth and understanding. Studying conflict can help us better understand how to manage people in organizations and help us build better negotiation methods.
Managing conflict and negotiations can present a number of issues and challenges for managers. For example, it can be particularly difficult when there is conflict due to cultural differences. Conflict can also lead to extreme emotional responses. Individuals can lose their temper leading to anger and violence. Managing conflict can be one of the hardest parts of a manger's position. However, it is important for managers to not run and hide, but rather face the conflict head on. Dealing with conflict is never easy but if a manager can develop a consistent, level-headed approach managing conflict can become less stressful.
Citations
CONFLICT MANAGEMENT Conference Paper Abstracts. (2005). Academy of Management Annual Meeting Proceedings, 1-22. doi:10.5465/AMBPP.2005.18778525
Lipman, V. (2013, April 3). How To Manage Conflict At Work. Forbes. Retrieved July 7, 2014, from http://www.forbes.com/sites/victorlipman/2013/04/03/how-to-manage-conflict-at-work/
negotiation. (n.d.). Dictionary.com. Retrieved July 7, 2014, from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/negotiation?s=t
Pfeffer, J., & Sutton, R. (2006). If Work Fundamentally Different From the Rest of Real Life and Should It Be?. Hard Facts, Dangerous Half-Truths, and Total Nonsense: Profiting from Evidence-Based Management (). Boston: Harvard Business School Publishing .
Why should one study managing conflict and negotiation in organizational behavioral context? The answer is simple. Conflict is everywhere and the workplace is no exception. Business only moves forward when individuals can work together and progress. This cannot be done if there is a source of conflict. However, this source of conflict can be a positive turning point and can results in growth and understanding. Studying conflict can help us better understand how to manage people in organizations and help us build better negotiation methods.
Managing conflict and negotiations can present a number of issues and challenges for managers. For example, it can be particularly difficult when there is conflict due to cultural differences. Conflict can also lead to extreme emotional responses. Individuals can lose their temper leading to anger and violence. Managing conflict can be one of the hardest parts of a manger's position. However, it is important for managers to not run and hide, but rather face the conflict head on. Dealing with conflict is never easy but if a manager can develop a consistent, level-headed approach managing conflict can become less stressful.
Citations
CONFLICT MANAGEMENT Conference Paper Abstracts. (2005). Academy of Management Annual Meeting Proceedings, 1-22. doi:10.5465/AMBPP.2005.18778525
Lipman, V. (2013, April 3). How To Manage Conflict At Work. Forbes. Retrieved July 7, 2014, from http://www.forbes.com/sites/victorlipman/2013/04/03/how-to-manage-conflict-at-work/
negotiation. (n.d.). Dictionary.com. Retrieved July 7, 2014, from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/negotiation?s=t
Pfeffer, J., & Sutton, R. (2006). If Work Fundamentally Different From the Rest of Real Life and Should It Be?. Hard Facts, Dangerous Half-Truths, and Total Nonsense: Profiting from Evidence-Based Management (). Boston: Harvard Business School Publishing .
This is a great topic, and I look forward to reading the rest of your team's presentation. I know that conflict is a serious issue within organizations now and there is little tolerance of it. When I first started my current job a couple years ago, we had to go to a lateral (or horizontal) violence class due to the workplace bullying that was happening. It was fairly extreme and afterward we went to an absolutely zero tolerance for bullying within my unit. It has improved (they also fired some of the big offenders) and it is a much happier place. Nice topic and discussion Team C!
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