Conflict occurs when concerns, goals, issues and/or approaches are incompatible. It is a very common workplace occurrence and resolutions can consume about 25% of management’s time. Conflict management requires effective, thoughtful negotiations to handle policy disagreements, complaints, rule enforcement and personal frictions and resentments.

Because conflict is often equated with fighting, name calling and blame, it can be regarded as destructive and unpleasant. However, there are many benefits if conflicts are constructively managed and resolved.

The goal of successful conflict management is to find a pragmatic solution via an exchange of concessions, a moderation of expectations and discouraging one-sided domination in achieving an acceptable settlement. The key is to satisfy concerns of all involved avoiding unfair compromises and accommodations and identifying common ground for working together productively and collaboratively.