This document discusses conflict management in an organizational context. It begins by defining conflict and outlining learning objectives around understanding conflict, dealing with typical conflicts that arise, and developing skills to resolve conflicts. It then presents a case study about the performance of three typists, Anabia, Sonia and Tania, and asks the reader to evaluate their performance. Additional details provided about each typist may affect the reader's evaluation. The document goes on to discuss causes of conflicts, effects of conflicts in organizations, different approaches to dealing with conflicts, and steps that can be taken to prevent and resolve conflicts. It concludes by noting that while conflict is inevitable and not entirely negative, poorly managed conflicts can have counterproductive results while well-managed
2. Learning Objectives
1. To define “conflict”
2. To understand the importance of utilizing
appropriate personnel management skill to
deal with conflicts
3. To review typical conflicts one is involved,
and possible methods generally used
4. To become familiar with necessary skills in
resolving conflicts
3. Anabia, the Typist
Tania, Sonia and Anabia are typists/secretaries
in your organization. Sonia is from Comillla,
Tania from Chittagong and Anabia from a rural
village in Chandpur. Their average typing speed
during last three months has been:
Sonia (60), Tania (50) and Anabia (30)
What do you think of Anabia’s performance?
(Write your ranking using the scale from 1-5)
4. Anabia, the Typist (Cont’d)
Sonia and Tania had other jobs before
joining your organization. This is Anabia’s
first job. She joined three months ago
What do you think of Anabia’s
performance?
5. Anabia, the Typist (Cont’d)
While Sonia and Tania have new imported
typewriters, Anabia has an old one which
“jumps” frequently.
What do you think of Anabia’s performance?
6. Anabia, the Typist (Cont’d)
Most of Sonia’s and Tania’s work is straight
typing of reports yet they have a considerable
number of errors. Anabia on the other hand is
usually given heavy statistical data and her
work is practically errorless.
What do you think of Fatima’s performance?
7. What is conflict?
• A battle, contest or opposing forces existing
between primitive desires and moral, religious
or ethical ideas ( Webster’s Dictionary)
• A state of incompatibility of ideas between two
or more parties or individuals
Conflict management is the practice of
identifying and handling conflict in a sensible,
fair and efficient manner
8. Types of conflict
• Inter-personal and intra-
personal
• Inter-group and intra-group
• Competitive and Disruptive
10. Antecedent Conditions
• Scarce Resources
• Conflicting attitude
• Ambiguous jurisdiction
• Communication barriers
• Need for consensus
• Unresolved prior conflicts
• Knowledge of self and others
11. How to create conflict?
• Not being a role model
• Take credit, no recognition
• Be judgmental
• Send written messages
• Subordinate should come to see me
• Make yourself inaccessible to your team
• Individual Vs team approach
• Telling them? Consulting them? Or deciding with them?
• Come tomorrow
• Introduce change without consultation or discussion
12. General causes of conflicts
• Poorly defined goals
• Divergent personal values
• Lack of cooperation/trust
• Competition of scarce resources
• Unclear roles/lack of job description
13. Effects of conflict in organizations
• Stress
• Absenteeism
• Staff turnover
• De-motivation
• Non-productivity
17. Steps to resolve conflicts
• Assure privacy
• Empathize than sympathize
• Listen actively
• Maintain equity
• Focus on issue, not on personality
• Avoid blame
• Identify key theme
• Re-state key theme frequently
• Encourage feedback
• Identify alternate solutions
• Give your positive feedback
• Agree on an action plan
18. How to prevent conflicts
• Frequent meeting of your team
• Allow your team to express openly
• Sharing objectives
• Having a clear and detailed job description
• Distributing task fairly
• Never criticize team members publicly
• Always be fair and just with your team
• Being a role model