Page 266 - Business Principles and Management

Chapter 10 • Organizational Communications

interfere with the goals of the organization. In the preceding example,
if the sales manager became resentful of the advertising manager and
undermined the company’s budget goals by deliberately spending
more than the amount agreed upon for the product, undesirable con-
flict would result. Employees who dislike others and carry grudges
often cause problems for an organization. Therefore, undesirable
conflicts should be resolved as soon as possible.

RESOLVING CONFLICT
Conflicts can be resolved in various ways. Because every situation
is different, managers must decide which type of strategy will best
resolve each conflict.

AVOIDANCE STRATEGY One strategy for resolving conflict is to take
a neutral position or to agree with another person’s position even PHOTO: © GETTY IMAGES/PHOTODISC.
though it differs from your personal belief. This approach, known as
the avoidance strategy, avoids the conflict. One manager may decide
to accept the goal of another manager or avoid expressing an oppos-
ing opinion about the goal. When a conflict is relatively unimpor-
tant, the avoidance strategy may be the best approach. However, if
a disagreement involves important issues, avoidance is not a good
strategy. It can often lead to resentment. If handled properly, conflicts
can be beneficial and produc-
tive. How do you handle con-
COMPROMISE STRATEGY A second way to resolve conflict is through a compromise flict with another person?
strategy. Everyone involved in a conflict agrees to a mutually acceptable solution.
Often, a compromise grows out of a thorough discussion of the goals and the
best way to achieve those goals. This strategy is better than avoidance because it

PHOTO: © GETTY IMAGES/PHOTODISC. Why is a compromise strategy

generally the best solution to
a conflict?

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