Week 9: Conflict Management Processes

Conflict can be defined in many words such as: misunderstanding, different opinions, disagreements, opposing position and solution, cultural and beliefs differences, varying values, ‘not on the same page’, different goals, personality clash miscommunication and more.

In this chapter, I’ve learned that all conflicts are negative. And, these kind of negative issues can be seen in system theory, cultural theory, values and assumptions and rivalry.

In order to get through conflict, as conflict management theory suggested (Miller, 2013) it requires negotiation, accommodation, compromise, competition and avoidance in certain cases.

In organization, manager’s is required to have good communication skills, good in team work, solve conflicts and know how to negotiate on behalf or self, the team, and the company.

Bloom (2013) said that, when conflict occur in organization, manager’s not only responsible to negotiate for themselves, but also negotiate with the boss and co-workers. So that everyone can collaborate to reach the goals. Therefore, the organization communication is important in conflict management. Leaders need to bargain, persuade and influence people to support and agree with his/her plans, new inventory or other innovation. 

In contrast, managers who have poor communication skills in negotiating, it might force team members to work inefficiently, like overnights and weekends to meet the deadline. In addition, if the negotiation skills fail to impress boss, managers might not receive targeted budget or other supportive resources for its business plan.

Reference:

Bloom, E 2013, '10 soft skills needed by IT managers,' itworld 7 October, viewed 12 October 2013, <http://www.itworld.com/career/377501/10-soft-skills-needed-it-managers>.

Miller, K 2012, Organization Communication, 6^th edn, Wadsworth Cengage Learning, Boston.