Living Successfully - Dealing with conflict

10% of Conflicts is due to difference in opinion…. 90% is due to wrong tone of voice....

Wherever humans interact, there will likely to be some level of conflict, this is not necessarily a bad thing, but can have negative consequences if not managed appropriately. Thomas-Kilmann identifies 5 modes of dealing with conflict, which are;

Competing

Avoiding

Accommodating

Compromising

Collaborating

These modes are neither good or bad, it all depends on how and when we employ them. Managing conflict consequently is not only about the incident, but in how we respond to it. Not every difference of opinion is worth competing for, nor can every difference be avoided, we need to know when to step back and accommodate the other person’s opinion especially in situations when the opinion or position, is not critical. Compromise or come to a win-win position when a mutually beneficial solution can be reached or collaborate to achieve a greater outcome by combining the various opinions.

Competing for the insignificant only results in unnecessary aggression, while avoiding the important can cause long-term resentment, both of which are counter-productive.

The more we learn how to apply these modes within areas of conflict, the better we will be able at manage it, resulting in more successful relationships both in the personal and professional spheres.

Remember conflict can have a positive effect when handled correctly, we can learn from it, build stronger relationships out of it and be more successful because of it…. but only when we manage it.

At Living Successfully Inc. (LSI) we are here to help you succeed in growing through conflict.