It can be a catalyst to greater understanding and cooperation between diverse stakeholders. But unchecked conflict in today's business climate creates barriers to good communication, sabotages morale, boosts absenteeism, and can lead to boycotts or worse. Conflict gone amok, says Connor, can be a significant financial, political, and image loss for an organization. Conflict resolution, as an integral part of the communication plan, facilitates the cooperation that helps an organization reach its goals. Read on for insights about the causes of and antidotes for conflict.
Most conflict is rooted in resource limitations, psychological needs, or value differences.
Conflicts over limited resources, such as budgets or supplies, are among the easiest to manage. The need to be liked and respected causes conflict when an employer promotes one individual over others, or one manager is excluded from meetings that her peers are invited to attend. The majority of conflicts stem from value differences, say the experts, and are among the most difficult to resolve. Townley says that an individual's 'cultural lens' affects how one views work, communication, and conflict in general. This cultural lens is formed through experiences of race, gender, age, class, education, ability, sexual orientation, and a whole host of other factors that shape cultural perspective.