Understanding Conflict in Work – Meaning, Phases, Resolutions

Whenever two individuals opine in different ways, a conflict arises. In a layman’s language conflict is nothing but a fight either between two individuals or among group members.

No two individuals can think alike and there is definitely a difference in their thought process as well as their understanding. Disagreements among individuals lead to conflicts and fights.

Conflict arises whenever individuals have different values, opinions, needs, interests and are unable to find a middle way.

Let us understand conflict in a better way

Tim and Joe were working in the same team and were best of friends. One fine day, they were asked to give their inputs on a particular project assigned to them by their superior.

There was a major clash in their understanding of the project and both could not agree to each other’s opinions. Tim wanted to execute the project in a particular way which did not go well with Joe. The outcome of the difference in their opinions was a conflict between the two and now both of them just can’t stand each other.

The dissimilarity in the interest, thought process, nature and attitude of Tim and Joe gave rise to a conflict between the two.

Conflict is defined as a clash between individuals arising out of a difference in thought process, attitudes, understanding, interests, requirements and even sometimes perceptions.

A conflict results in heated arguments, physical abuses and definitely loss of peace and harmony. A conflict can actually change relationships. Friends can become foes as a result of conflict just as in the case of Tim and Joe.

A Conflict not only can arise between individuals but also among countries, political parties and states as well.

A small conflict not controlled at the correct time may lead to a large war and rifts among countries leading to major unrest and disharmony.

It is a well known fact that neighbours are our biggest assets as they always stand by us whenever we need them.

Let us take the example of India and China or for that matter India and Pakistan.

India and Pakistan are twin sisters as there is hardly any difference in the culture, religion, climatic conditions, eating habits of the people staying in both the countries, but still the two countries are always at loggerheads and the reason is actually unknown.

Small issues between the two countries have triggered a conflict between them which has now become a major concern for both the countries.

Misunderstandings as well as ego clashes also lead to conflicts. Every individual has a different way to look at things and react to various situations.

Mike wanted to meet Jason at the church. He called up Jason and following was the conversation between them.

Mike - “Jason, I want to meet you tomorrow at 9”

Jason tried Mike’s number a several times but could not speak to him. Mike waited the whole day for Jason and finally there was a major fight between them.

For Mike 9 meant 9 in the morning whereas Jason misunderstood it for 9 in the evening and hence a major conflict between the two.

It is always advisable to be very clear and very specific to avoid misunderstandings and conflicts.

Any feedback or suggestion by an individual might not go very well with other individual leading to severe displeasure. It might hurt the ego of the other person resulting in a fight and major disagreement.

Phases of conflict

A conflict has five phases.

1. Prelude to conflict - It involves all the factors which possibly arise a conflict among individuals.

   Lack of coordination, differences in interests, dissimilarity in cultural, religion, educational background all are instrumental in arising a conflict.

2. Triggering Event - No conflict can arise on its own. There has to be an event which triggers the conflict.

   Jenny and Ali never got along very well with each other. They were from different cultural backgrounds, a very strong factor for possibility of a conflict.

   Ali was in the mid of a presentation when Jenny stood up and criticized him for the lack of relevant content in his presentation, thus triggering the conflict between them.

3. Initiation Phase - Initiation phase is actually the phase when the conflict has already begun.

   Heated arguments, abuses, verbal disagreements are all warning alarms which indicate that the fight is already on.

4. Differentiation Phase - It is the phase when the individuals voice out their differences against each other. The reasons for the conflict are raised in the differentiation phase.

5. Resolution Phase - A Conflict leads to nowhere. Individuals must try to compromise to some extent and resolve the conflict soon.

   The resolution phase explores the various options to resolve the conflict.

Conflicts can be of many types like verbal conflict, religious conflict, emotional conflict, social conflict, personal conflict, organizational conflict, community conflict and so on.

Conflicts and fighting with each other never lead to a conclusion. If you are not on the same line as the other individual, never fight, instead try your level best to sort out your differences.

Discussion is always a better and wiser way to adopt rather than conflicts.