Dodging or Confronting Interpersonal Conflict?

This is my very own experience at a corporate where conflict is almost inevitable. Whenever people are engaged, committed and fired up, conflict and disagreement is bound to happen. This doesn’t mean you have to revel in conflict or create trouble just for the sake of it, but it does mean that when conflict happens it’s not the end of the world. Quite the contrary, it can even be the beginning of an interesting learning process. The very best and most efficient workplaces are not the ones without conflicts but those which handle conflicts constructively.

Imagine: you are a CEO of the following Organization . .

Though Jane enjoyed working as the sales manager of Company A, working with Scott, the financial manager, was a constant struggle for her. At every meeting, Scott would take great care to explain why all her ideas were unworkable. Also, Scott was constantly asking for sales projections and financial data from her and always wanted it in excruciating detail. Supplying these figures was taking up a large amount of her department’s already packed schedule. Frankly she thought, he was nothing but a dry, negative perfectionist.

Scott, on the other hand, thought that Jane was a maverick. She always had to interrupt meetings with her harebrained schemes and whenever he asked her for the data he needed to keep the company finances in order, she would always stall and make him have to ask her again several times. Jane, he felt, was nothing but a happy-go-lucky, unrealistic show-off.

It got to the point where neither of them could stand to be in the same room together. The company clearly suffered under this conflict between two of its key employees and something clearly needed to be done. Realistically, nothing was done to resolve the matter.

Given the role of a CEO, do you have any solution to help resolve the conflict?

Here is my food for thought:

You can’t win a conflict at work. Winning a conflict ie. getting the outcome you want regardless of what the other person wants can be gratifying, sure, but the problem is that the underlying issue has not been solved. It will simply reappear later over some other topic. Much better than winning a conflict at work is resolving it. As such, I am looking forward to your contribution of ideas how to solve the above conflict.

The importance of effective communication

Almost everything that happens in our lives involves communication in one form or another. Effective communication not only involves conveying ideas and opinions, but also includes the ability to absorb and listen to what another person is saying. Whether you are involved in a business meeting or a relationship discussion, communication is the most essential component of any interpersonal relationship. 

Like any other University students, I strive for success in career. In business, being able to communicate effectively can mean the whole difference between success and failure. Unfortunately, effective communication does not often come easily. Here is an example of one: 

Which of the following phrases would you prefer to hear?

• A condescending tone: "You forgot to answer my e-mail again! I need an answer in two days! Geeze, what good are you?"
• A normal tone: "I know you're busy, but could you please remember to answer my e-mail about Project A by Friday? Thanks."
• a scared tone: "I really hate to impose, but I was wondering if you could possibly look at my email and send me a reply when you get a chance?"

All three deliver the same basic message but each one is begging for a different reply. Certainly, no one wants to contend with an avalanche of bad manners, nor do we want a wishy-washy conversation. To me, I want to be able to speak and write with a tone of friendly confidence which in my belief, will greatly help me leave a good impression and get things done effectively in a work place.

Communicating effectively with my loved ones, family members and friends is just equally important. In daily life, communication with loved ones, family and closed friends are often neglected or not well taken care of. This may further damage a relationship. 

Effective communication with the loved ones, on the other hand allows me to understand people better and be understood by them. 

So what? Mutual understanding leads to better connection with people

So what? Better connection with people satisfy the need for belonging

So what? Fulfilling this important need certainly leads to a more satisfying life.