Conflict Resolution

Conflicts

Conflicts are an everyday part of life and are inevitable when people live together in a community or society. They occur when there is a difference of opinion or some kind of disagreement between two or more parties. Conflicts need to be resolved effectively. Some of the sources of conflict include disagreements on decisions, priorities, opinions, resource management, administrative procedures and personal opinions. 

 

Conflicts are Healthy

Conflicts often thought in negative notion. Conflicts are avoided by most people because it creates an intense discomfort and anxiety. Feelings get hurt and sometimes healthy relationships are destroyed. When managed effectively, the most innovative solutions often arise out of conflict. 

A society or community is a dynamic environment that is always in need of growth, change, solutions, transitions and upgrading. 

 

Conflict Resolution

Conflict resolution is the art and technique of managing conflicts. An effective conflict management and resolution ensures that view points and opinions are heard, effective decisions are made, all the involved parties are in agreement with the decision.

Conflicts must be resolved at the earliest. Leaving a conflict open over a period of time adds more parties, and new conflicts arise.

Conflicts resolution for a community is managed and solved by a managing committee. The bye-laws have guidelines on community behavior. These are addressed at the committee level and are binding for all the members of the committee.

 

Conflict Resolution Process

The following is workflow of the conflict resolution process:

1. Recognize the problem and ensure that the involved parties are aware that this problem exists and that there is a conflict of interest between the 2 parties.  
2. The parties mutually agree to address the issue and find a resolution.
3.  Understand the concern of the opposing person or group.
4. Intervene to lessen the negative feelings, attitude, behavior changes to set the ground for peaceful negotiation. As part of this intervention, recognize triggers that will change any of the above. 
5. Have a 3rd person or group to intervene and validate the conflict.
6. Make a resolution. An effective resolution is mutually beneficial to both parties However, the resolution may not be completely satisfactory to one or both parties (compromise). 
7. Monitor the impact of this decision over time to ensure that the conflict does not arise again. 

 

Conflict Resolution Techniques

The following conflict resolution techniques are useful when a conflict arises. Each technique applies to different kinds of conflicts.