Abstract

Conflict can be defined as the contest between people of diverse needs, ideas, values, goals, or beliefs. In a team, conflict is always inevitable. Conflict, if not properly handled may escalate to bring disastrous outcome. But if properly handled can lead to more positive outcome. Therefore, knowledge of how to handle conflicts is very important in achieving cohesiveness in a team. Most often many people do not go hunting conflict but rather it arises from miscommunications between people. It is important to note that not all conflicts can be resolved. In an organization, the conflicts should always be solved in bid to make the clients happy. Policies that place clients on the forefront shall help a company ascend higher levels. This calls for a deep understanding on how to manage conflict when they arise so as to avoid destructive escalations.  Conflict management entails coming up with strategies that will increase the positive aspects of conflict while limiting the negative aspects.
The common cause of conflict in a team is lack of clarity in vision and common objectives. In order to avoid having conflicts, there is need to have a shared vision as well as common objectives for both individuals and teams.
There are five major modes that people use in addressing conflict. These are compromising, competing, accommodation, avoiding, and collaborating. These five modes are further categorized into two scales; cooperation and assertiveness. In a team, only modes that results into cooperation are encouraged. In any solution, the clients must have their desires taken into consideration. This is because they are a very integral part of stakeholders.