Conflict management
Conflict management refers to a technique of limiting or eradicating the negative consequences of a conflict and on the other hand increasing its positive aspects of it. Conflict management is fundamental in influencing productivity of a group or an organization. This is because its main objective is to boost learning and collective outcomes and performance. In my life, I have been exercising conflict management concepts in dealing with various situations. Some of these concepts range from creativity, preservation of self integrity and effective communication. These aspects have greatly helped me in enhancing communication and maintaining good relationship with family, dating and workplace relationships.
Creativity entails critical thinking innovation in solving problems. It takes into account the application of problem solving technique in a fast way before a problem becomes out of hands. The first step to initiate is identifying the problem, its cause and direction and where has a great impact on. Thereafter, understanding the scope of the problem in a wider view enables one identify the appropriate formula to addressing it. Depending on the desired effects, the application of dialogue, reconciliation and effective communication could prove vital enhancing the productivity and positive outcomes of a situation. I have been exercising dialogue as a way of solving problems at home. My family has been characterized with bad relationships and quarrels. My father and older brother often engage in confrontations. This has worsened the choice and willingness towards performing certain crucial family tasks. As a result, almost everything comes into a stand still. There has been efforts within the family and sometimes from outside to help solve this problem. On a personal level I identified misunderstanding and ego between the two conflicting parties as the major cause of their arguments. Therefore I have initiating dialogue with creativity in several occasions to help out whenever the situation arises. For instance, I would always tell them about their weaknesses at every stance of a family reconciliation meeting. Furthermore, I could suggest for effective communication between the two so that they can understand each other’s take better. In most of the times, they would decide to fix out their differences and agree to reconcile courtesy to my efforts.
I always uphold integrity as an alternative concept to managing conflict. Integrity entails upholding moral values, honesty and sincerity. My experiences in dating relationships have been so disappointing at several moments. This is because, maintaining a relationship has been a big challenge. There has been a period that I suspected my partner to be cheating on me. This resulted to a major conflict between us and coming into terms was an impossible thing. During that time, I usually went out with friend stead, so as I could try as much as possible get over or even think about something else. My friend’s friend could accompany me and engage in emotional talks. To that extent, I was in an attempting situation. I thought of getting over my relationship but whenever I thought about that, even for single second, my consciousness would not let me do so. This is because, I’ am always guided by personal values of honesty and integrity. The situation remained dull but I would make efforts to meet and discuss with my partner in an open way. We would take time to talk and appreciate each other on the positive things of our relationship. That enabled us understand each other better. Therefore, my values of integrity and sincerity have worked magic for me in my efforts to managing dating conflicts.
The third concept I always apply in my quest to managing conflict is effective communication. Effective communication is a process where individuals send and receive information to understanding issues in a better way. At workplace, there have been some situations when relationships among workers were at testing times. People could talk ill about others in their departments and even in other departments. As a result, normal routine and functioning of departments to departments was greatly affected. There was mistrust from each individual to another. Therefore, people productivity became less as workers could leave their assigned tasks incomplete. At some times, people could do things wrongly and intentionally. There was the need of bringing people back to normality for the sake of the organization. Therefore, the human resource manager began by consulting each and every worker to assess their view so that the ideal problem would be identified. I was assigned to intervene with members of my department. Upon thorough consultations, the alleged problems were just but a matter of communication. People misunderstood one another. False allegation rose due to lack of effective communication. Since that incident I have exercised great concern in matters of effective communication to enhance better understanding and improve productivity and respect. My efforts have proved to be bearing fruits since the organization is on a smooth run in terms of social relations between workers.
Despite of effectively applying the concepts as explained about, there have been some challenges too. The potential barriers range from individual to organizational levels. At home, it was difficult to predict the outcome of the dialogues. This is because the natures of the conflicts were a bit difficult to handle. During the dating relationship, it was general hard to put trust on someone you always argue with. Convincing every party that dialogue or reconciliation was the solution to the common conflicts met severe communication challenges. In addressing such communication barriers that resulted to conflicts, I initiated for regular meetings so that people could discuss on pressing matters. Practicing these communication concepts has really improved my ego and confidence. This has been critical towards attainment of my personal goals and success.
