Get to the Why

In class on Monday we looked into organizational conflict. We discussed how incompatible goals can create disturbances in organizations. We talked about how there are different types of conflict. Two that we discussed were latent conflict and perceived conflict. Latent conflict is where conditions are right for conflict. Perceived conflict is where one or more of the parties believe that there is a problem when there really is not.
There are four ways to address conflict through avoidance, accommodation, compromise, or collaborate:
*Avoidance is rarely good because then the problems will add up and cause frustration within. Also the problem never gets addressed or handled this way.
*Accommodation is where you give up some of your personal objectives and give to the other players needs. This can be an especially good approach when you’re in a fight with your girlfriend! With accommodation your end up giving to get something later or you’re preserving the relationship for the future. The problem is that you give up some of your personal needs to the other person.
* Compromise can be effective because it can keep forward momentum but the problem is that both sides are going to have to give up some needs.
* Collaboration is the most effective approach to keep the best relationship going into the future. Both sides work together to come up with the best solution for the future. This is a step beyond compromise because both sides get more of what they need, they ask the question why.
It is best to handle conflict without involving the courts or an arbitrator. The courts make a final decision. An arbitrator makes decisions that are often binding based on the arguments presented by the parties involved. A mediator can be helpful and save a lot of money, especially compared to court costs. It is not binding and can lead to a resolution in conflict. A mediator helps to facilitate the dispute but has no power. We should always try to avoid the courts and arbitrators because their decisions are often binding and it they take control from our hands.
Using your knowledge of how to address conflict, think about how to resolve the following situation: There are two people in a city. There is one orange left in the city and both of them want the orange, but there is only one. How can these two people have both of their needs met?
Keep in mind that they could have different needs. We need to address conflict, by asking why. People have different needs based on their interests. Get to the core of what both parties want, identify party interests.
By: Grayson Goodstein