Managing Conflict in the text book Group Communication

Read this text for a somewhat different perspective on managing conflict in the workplace. The text refines the definition of conflict as something that occurs between interdependent people and must be expressed. While we have looked at the causes of conflict, This text examines the dangers of conflict in four ways. As you read through the text, you will learn about the roles leaders can take, such as motivator, delegator, structuralist, and promoter of constructive deviation.

Effective Conflict Management Strategies

Learning Objectives

  1. List four preventive steps that a group and its members may take to lessen the likelihood of experiencing damaging conflict.
  2. Identify measures related to space and time that a group may employ to mediate against potentially destructive conflict
  3. Describe steps which members of a group may take to manage conflict when it arises.
  4. Explain the "SLACK" method of managing conflict.

I've led a school whose faculty and students examine and discuss and debate every aspect of our law and legal system. And what I've learned most is that no one has a monopoly on truth or wisdom. I've learned that we make progress by listening to each other, across every apparent political or ideological divide.
- Elena Kagan

In calm water every ship has a good captain.
- Swedish Proverb

To be peaceable is, by definition, to be peaceable in time of conflict.
- Progressive magazine

If group members communicate effectively and show sensitivity to each other's needs and styles, they can often prevent unproductive and destructive conflict from developing. Nevertheless, they should also be prepared to respond in situations when conflict does crop up.

Before considering some strategies for dealing with conflicts, it's worth pointing out that the title of this section refers to "management" of conflict rather than to "resolution". The reason for this choice of terminology is that not all conflict needs to be - or can be - resolved. Still, most conflict needs to be managed to keep it from side-tracking, slowing down, weakening, or eventually destroying a group.