What is Conflict?
Conflict is defined as a situation that meets the following criteria:
1. Expressed struggle – There is a disagreement present between at least two people that manifests itself either verbally or nonverbally.
2. Incompatible Goals and scarce resources – Two people desire a goal that is mutually exclusive. This means that only one person can get their way at the cost of the other person. Scarcity is defined as the lack of sufficient resources to complete all desires.
3. Present Goals – Each party has a goal in mind that they wish to accomplish.
Management Strategies
Management styles can be ranked in terms of time sensitivity. Below are the 4 major strategies listed starting with least time sensitive running down to most time sensitive. Please refer to the matrix above for a matrix that denotes each style in terms of concern for the self and concern for others.
Collaboration
This is the most optimal solution in regards to the options listed in this blog. It is highly exhaustive of time, but unlike the following options it takes into consideration options not already presented by the group. Collaboration involves the group working idea around until a solution that is agreeable, optimal, and possible is agreed upon by the entire group.
Competition
This is a good alternative to collaboration when time is not an issue, and there is enough unity within the group to cooperate in a competitive manner. If each group cannot come to a mutually agreeable solution then each group should be challenged to prove their decision is best under a set of rules. The group can agree upon the rules, and once a group “comes out on top” the group can agree to their solution because the rule set was agreed upon. This yields better results than the below options because the result was proven superior to other solutions.
Compromise
This is a good option when accommodation may not be appropriate (perhaps a very important decision is in the works), but you don’t have an unlimited timeline to come to a solution. It involves thoroughly discussing each person’s point of view, the shortcomings and advantages, and coming to a solution that each person can agree may not be optimal, but is better than any particular person’s solution.
Accommodation
Accommodation is a style that is best suited for situations where time is of fairly large concern. This strategy involved putting your own preferences or ideas aside to make way for what others believe is a better solution. This strategy will not always yield optimal results, but is affective at addressing many issues while keeping to a schedule.
Avoidance
This is rarely a good choice in conflict management, and often yields the worst results. It involves avoiding any sort of confrontation at all, wether it be a command and control type solution, being absent, or otherwise,t his will lead to lower morale amongst the group. This should be a last resort option when time is of the essence.
The Neighborhood Consultant 