This is another essential quality of a leader. In interactions with other people, whether family, friends, co-workers, classmates, acquaintances etc. Due to the various complexities in our perspectives and appreciation of any given situation, conflict (a serious disagreement or argument, typically a protracted one) is something that will arise regularly. As a leader, we have to recognize this and be attentive on how to deal with this and keep the relationship cordial. So a leader needs to know how to resolve conflicts. Conflict resolution is a way for two or more parties to find a peaceful solution to a disagreement among them. The disagreement may be personal, financial, political, or emotional. When a dispute arises, often the best course of action is negotiation to resolve the disagreement.
Conflict is inherently uncomfortable which is why many people shy away from it. This is true whether in the personal or professional space so learning to handle conflict in a healthy and productive way is extremely essential.
Conflict resolution is one of those skills that you develop over time with practice and experience and a good understanding of some common and effective strategies will give you the foundation to build upon over time. Here are the steps:
A: Don’t ignore the conflict
B: Clarify what the issue is
C: Bring involved parties to talk
D: Brainstorm possible solutions and Identify a solution
E: Continue to monitor and follow-up on the conflict.
In an era when all we think about is wins and losses, it is important to remember the Thomas Kalman conflict resolution model. Kenneth Thomas and Ralph Kalman developed five conflict resolution strategies. Between Avoiding, Competing (Defeating), Collaborating, Accommodating, Compromise sits at the center of the model. This is key to conflict resolution. Each party in the conflict gets something they want and they also give up something they wanted. So it is a mixed win for all and generally the most satisfying.