Communication's Effect on Effective Conflict Management
Communication’s Effect on Effective Conflict Management
Communication & Conflict
August 16, 2010
The process of effective conflict management is very complex. There are many elements that one must master in order to become effective at conflict resolution. In life, we will be faced with a myriad of people, all with different views and opinions; so naturally, we will be faced with conflict at some point in our lives. Once conflict is initiated (intentionally or not), it is important to keep a cool head and remember a few steps. According to our textbook, there are 5 stages for successful conflict resolution which are prelude to conflict, the triggering event, the initiation phase, the differentiation phase, and the resolution phase (Cahn & Abigail, 2007). It is very important to identify and learn these stages so they can be present in our minds during times of conflict.
The first stage is the prelude to conflict stage. This stage deals with the tension that arises right before a conflict becomes external. Communication plays a large role in this stage. If communication fails, conflict will ensue. Communication can fail if one or more involved parties communicate with a negative connotation, tone, or word choice. Other things such as sharing too much information or not enough can also have a detrimental effect on communication at this point. All of these factors, although generally considered small components of communication, can lay the foundation for conflict. During this stage, the correct thing to do is to stop talking for a brief moment and examine one’s own emotions in an attempt to control them. Oftentimes, our inability to control our emotions will cloud our judgment and will only help to escalate the issue. It is also important to deal with the preconceived notions that we may have as these too can have an impact on our judgment. According to the attribution theory, “people act as they do in conflict situation because of the conclusions
Communication & Conflict
August 16, 2010
The process of effective conflict management is very complex. There are many elements that one must master in order to become effective at conflict resolution. In life, we will be faced with a myriad of people, all with different views and opinions; so naturally, we will be faced with conflict at some point in our lives. Once conflict is initiated (intentionally or not), it is important to keep a cool head and remember a few steps. According to our textbook, there are 5 stages for successful conflict resolution which are prelude to conflict, the triggering event, the initiation phase, the differentiation phase, and the resolution phase (Cahn & Abigail, 2007). It is very important to identify and learn these stages so they can be present in our minds during times of conflict.
The first stage is the prelude to conflict stage. This stage deals with the tension that arises right before a conflict becomes external. Communication plays a large role in this stage. If communication fails, conflict will ensue. Communication can fail if one or more involved parties communicate with a negative connotation, tone, or word choice. Other things such as sharing too much information or not enough can also have a detrimental effect on communication at this point. All of these factors, although generally considered small components of communication, can lay the foundation for conflict. During this stage, the correct thing to do is to stop talking for a brief moment and examine one’s own emotions in an attempt to control them. Oftentimes, our inability to control our emotions will cloud our judgment and will only help to escalate the issue. It is also important to deal with the preconceived notions that we may have as these too can have an impact on our judgment. According to the attribution theory, “people act as they do in conflict situation because of the conclusions
References: 5 stages of conflict. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.mbanotesworld.in/2009/12/5-stages-of-conflict-process.html Anonymous, . Diffusing conflict. (2010, March). Administrative Assistant 's Update,6. Retrieved August 17, 2010, from Career and Technical Education. Ben-Ari, R., & Hirshberg, I.. (2009). Attachment Styles, Conflict Perception, and Adolescents ' Strategies of Coping with Interpersonal Conflict. Negotiation Journal, 25(1), 59-82. Retrieved August 17, 2010, from ABI/INFORM Global. Cahn, D. D. & Abigail, R. A. (2007). Managing conflict through communication (3rd ed.). Boston: Allyn and Bacon. Build an argument that works. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.ohrd.wisc.edu/onlinetraining/resolution/step8.htm.