Page 39 - PR Communication Age January-June2020

complexities of conflicts managements, some best practices the opinion, maintain the harmony and move towards
are to be adopted to mitigate the adverse impact. success. In a nutshell we have to identify the conflict, look
beyond the incident, request solution, identify solution and
Y Be aware of conflicts manage the conflicts strategically. It is to be minimized
through effective conflict management strategies like.
Y Take a considered and rational approach to conflict
Y Investigate the situation Accommodating: The accommodating strategy essentially
Y Decide how to tackle the conflict entails giving the opposite side what it wants
Y Let everyone have their say Avoiding: The avoiding strategy seeks to put off conflict
indefinitely.
Y Identify options and agree on a way forward
Collaborating: Collaboration works by integrating ideas set
Y Implement what has been agreed
out by multiple people.
Y Evaluated how things are going
Comprising: The compromising strategy typically calls for
Y Consider preventive strategies for the future both the sides of a conflict to give up elements of their
position in order to establish an acceptable, if not agreeable,
Conflict can frequently become destructive. If adequate care solution.
is not taken negative emotions may be stirred up, poisoning
Competing: Competition operates as a zero-sum game, in
the atmosphere, undermining morale, creating stress and
which one side wins and other loses
destroying workplace relationships. Ultimately, if overlooked,
this is likely to have an adverse effect on performance and Conflicts results when two parties have different
conflict can escalate or spread to affect others. perspective/opinion on certain issue and neither side is
Furthermore, if conflicts are not resolved, the situation may willing to compromise. Conflict is neither good nor bad.
deteriorate, leading to litigation and damaging the However conflicts are to be avoided and managed in a
organization's reputation. Conflicts can be costly in terms continuous basis. Unmanaged or poorly managed conflicts
of time and money. It is therefore vital to manage conflicts
generate a break down in trust and lost efficiency.
constructively. However for handling interpersonal conflicts
Unnecessary conflicts can be avoided simply with clear,
within the workforce, as related to conflicts with customers, accurate written and verbal communication. Nevertheless
requires a different form of resolution.
we have to develop excellent communication skill. Creative
problem solving, empathy and emotional intelligence are
Conflict management: Both Science and also the key factors for effective conflict management.

Art
Resolving conflict is a cardinal part in a decision making
Conflict management is the ability to map, identify and process. It should be done effectively by taking positive,
handle conflicts sensibly, fairly, rationally and efficiently. courteous and non-confrontational approach. In an
More precisely it is the process of scaling down negative environment where stress level is very high and deadlines
aspects of conflicts while scaling up positive aspects of are imminent, it is of paramount importance to come
conflicts. The aim of conflict management is to enhance forward and implement conflict management. For a better
learning and group outcomes, including effectiveness or operational efficiency, aspects of conflict are to be managed
performance in an organizational setting. and the role of a successful manager lies with the
management of conflict with a view to achieve the business/
Handling conflicts at work place does not involve any skill corporate goals. Hence key part of manager's role gyrate
set. In order to mange conflicts in a superior manner we around resolving conflict with meaningful supposition i.e.
have to talk with the other person, focus on behavior & PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE.
events not on personalities, listen carefully, identify the
points of agreement & disagreement, prioritize the areas (Source: CMI vision, American Management Association,
of conflict, develop a plan to work on each conflict, examine small business .chron)

"A strong woman just needs to be loved strongly"

PR COMMUNICATION AGE January - June 2020 39