Conflict a Dirty Word?

Understanding conflict, power, and the dynamic results that occur when conflict takes place due to power or the perceived lack thereof is an important aspect that needs to be understood in order to improve functionality inside an organizational culture.  To understand conflict and learn to value it, a leader and those within the organization must understand what conflict is and the healthy response to conflict that is needed in order to produce positive results from this perceived negative interaction.  

            Without a balanced and safe expression of different emotions and perspectives or even acknowledgement of other people’s feelings and conduct, then there is bound to be conflict. The interventions for relationship conflicts include cultivation of positive attitudes, improvement in the quantity as well as quality of communication. In addition, it is necessary to clarify one’s perceptions and attitudes as far as it is possible, while at once promoting emotional expression through legitimization of feelings. In addition, it is crucial to develop an integrative solution of the conflicting interests, with objectivity and understanding of different perspectives.

            Individuals have different cultural, religious, social, and economic backgrounds, which influence their belief and value systems. The perceived and actual incompatibility in value systems of people lead to emergence of value conflicts. Values determine standards of accepted behavior, actions, and determine what is thought by an individual as right, wrong, just, bad and unfair. With the increasing multicultural nature of communities across the world, value conflicts are quickly increasing, or their values are genuinely incompatible with others. Some people for instance support the death penalty, abortion, euthanasia and stem cell research etc., while others, owing to the their religious and ethical etc. systems, are completely opposed to these practices, which effectively sets up the potential for conflict. The need for tolerance, cultural relativism and cultural competence are increasingly important in the modern world, and central in the resolution of value-based conflicts.