What is conflict?
Good conflict, bad conflict!
What is the process of conflict?
Bad conflict styles!
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“We accuse others, we excuse ourselves” -Unknown
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What is a conflict?
●“An expressed struggle between at least two interdependent parties who perceive incompatible goals, scarce resources, and interference from others in achieving their goals.”
●Or Simply: “discomforting difference.”
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THE TRADITIONAL VIEW OF CONFLICT
The belief that all conflict is harmful and must be avoided. Conflict was bad and to be avoided
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THE TRADITIONAL VIEW OF CONFLICT
It was viewed negatively and discussed with such terms as VIOLENCE, DESTRUCTION and IRRATIONALITY to reinforce its negative connotation
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THE INTERACTIONIST VIEW OF CONFLICT
The belief that conflict is not only a positive force in a group but also an absolute necessity for a group to perform effectively It encourages conflict on the grounds that a harmonious peaceful, tranquil, and cooperative group is prone to becoming, apathetic, and unresponsive to needs for change and innovation.
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Thus, we have two types of conflict!
Functional & Dysfunctional
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Functional Conflict
Conflict that supports the goals of the group and improves its performance
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Dysfunctional Conflict
Conflict that hinders group performance
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Types of Conflict
•Task Conflict
•Conflicts over content and goals of the work
•Low-to-moderate levels of this type are FUNCTIONAL
•Relationship Conflict
•Conflict based on interpersonal relationships
•Almost always DYSFUNCTIONAL
•Process Conflict
•Conflict over how work gets done
•Low levels of this type are FUNCTIONAL
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Stage I: Potential Opposition or Incompatibility
Communication –Semantic difficulties, misunderstandings, over communication and “noise”
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Stage I: Potential Opposition or Incompatibility
Structure –Size and specialization of jobs –Jurisdictional clarity/ambiguity –Member/goal incompatibility –Leadership styles (close or participative) –Reward systems (win-lose) –Dependence/interdependence of groups
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Stage I: Potential Opposition or Incompatibility
Personal Variables –Differing individual value systems –Personality types
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Stage II: Cognition and Personalization
Important stage for two reasons:
1.Conflict is defined
2.Emotions are expressed that have a strong impact on the eventual outcome
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Stage III: Intentions
Intentions –Decisions to act in a given way –Note: behavior does not always accurately reflect intent
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Stage IV: Behavior
Conflict Management –The use of resolution and stimulation techniques to achieve the desired level of conflict
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Conflict Management Techniques
•Conflict Resolution Techniques
•Conflict Stimulation Techniques
•Bringing in outsiders
•Communication
•Restructuring the organization
•Appointing a devil’s advocate
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Functional
•Increased group performance
•Improved quality of decisions
•Stimulation of creativity and innovation
•Encouragement of interest and curiosity
•Provision of a medium for problem solving
•Creation of an environment for self-evaluation and change
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Dysfunctional
•Development of discontent
•Reduced group effectiveness
•Retarded communication
•Reduced group cohesiveness
•Infighting among group members overcomes group goals
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Most conflicts rise on how to reach the goal not on the goal itself
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Agreement possible
Better than walking away
BATNA
Achieved through compromise
“Win win”
Meets interests of both parties better than compromise would
Achieved through identifying interests, identifying and/or creating value
Pareto-optimal
Best possible negotiated outcome for both
Thompson & Leonardelli “Why Negotiation if the Most Popular Business School Course”
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To reach win-win resolution ...
●Identify common goals
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To reach win-win resolution ...
Treat conflicts as a challenges that you can work on together to achieve a solution for both.
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Perhaps our greatest limitation in working toward win-win solutions is that each of us comes to the table with deep-seated ideas about conflict and powerfully ingrained strategies.
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Conflict does not arise so much from a difference itself but from the perception we have of that difference
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To reduce conflict ...
Try to see situation from the other person's perspective
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Almost all of us tend to attribute mistakes or failings on our part to external events
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... but we also tend to attribute the behavior of others to their own character or emotions
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We’re really emotional beings who have evolved an ability to reason that helps us deal with our emotions.
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Remember that emotion is an internal fact; it’s a response to perceptions you are having
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Being angry is not the same as acting on your anger
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Power How Much We Need and How to Use It?
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What is Power?
●Power can be defined as the ability to cause or influence an outcome.
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What is Power?
●Notice the difference between “influence” and “control”!
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Kinds of Power
●Personal power, such as talents, skills, or knowledge that we may have;
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Kinds of Power
●Relational power, that is, the power that derives from the nature of the relationship between the parties;
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Kinds of Power
●Situational power, the conditions in the conflict situation that give power to one party or one issue more than another
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Five Bases of Power John French and Bertram Raven
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The important point to remember is that both parties have power in any conflict and that power derives from the interdependence between the two parties in general and the particular situation they are in
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●You need sufficient interdependence!!!
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The more equal the conflicting parties are in power, the better the chances are of working out a win-win resolution