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Conflict Resolution Essay

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A group can only be called a team if the members are actively working together toward a common goal. A team must have the capability to set goals, make decisions, solve problems, and share responsibilities. For a team to be successful, trust must be earned between its members by being consistent and reliable (Temme & Katzel, 2005). When more than one person is working on a particular task, inconsistent views or opinions commonly arise. People come from different backgrounds and live through different life experiences therefore, even when working towards a common goal, they will not always see eye to eye. Major conflict that is not dealt with can devastate a team or organization (Make Conflict Work, 2008). In some situations, conflict can …show more content…

The idea of conflict under this view brings to mind chaos, heated emotion, and high stress. The traditional mindset requires taking all necessary steps to prevent and remove the source of the conflict that may be detrimental to the team. The human relations view understands that conflict is inevitable and part of the natural process of interactions. The human relations view is a more neutral outlook, which allows conflict and is tolerant of its presents. One that comes from this perspective expects conflict in a team setting and is more likely to resolve the issue when it arises rather than trying to eliminate the source. The interactionist view considers conflict to be energizing and helpful in keeping constructive discussion going. The interactionist view is a positive view that encourages opinions and expression of all members of an association. Conflict is considered a positive influence towards change. Causes for Conflict Barbara Bowes discusses three major causes for conflict: different interests/goals, conflicting values, and interpersonal styles (2008). Even though a team has the same ultimate goal, the intermediate steps to reach this goal may be unparallel. Imagine if Ray Kroc, fast-food restaurateur, and a gourmet chef teamed up to open a restaurant. What conflicts might transpire? The team may have the same definitive goal in mind, but the two would more than likely be dealing with the issue of quality versus convenience. The second

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