10 Conflict Resolution Strategies
By: Ray Myers, Jr., PMP
Does your project team have difficulties getting along? There are at least 10 ways to resolve conflict. Here’s a brief summary:
Avoidance: it is possible to avoid conflict without resolving the underlying dispute. The parties may agree to disagree and that no further action is required.
Compromise: involves working out a middle ground that satisfies all parties to some degree. This can be called the win-win approach.
Confrontation: this approach focuses on identifying the underlying problem and choosing solutions that allows the involved parties to work through the disagreement.
Smoothing: de-emphasizes the differences between the points of view and focuses on commonalities.
Withdrawal: involves avoiding or retreating from the conflict or potential conflict and allows the involved parties to work out the conflict on their own.
Force: requires one of the parties to yield to the point of view of another. It is called the win-lose approach and can increase conflict.
Conciliation: intervention by a third party who has no power to compel the opposing parties to reach an agreement. Relies on persuasion.
Mediation: an informal, but structured negotiation with an independent and neutral third party, the mediator, facilitating the process.
Arbitration: a neutral third party directs the negotiation process and renders a “fair” solution to the conflict. It is similar to a court proceeding and results in a binding arbitration award. Usually a private proceeding and the results are not public.
Litigation: the justice system is engaged to render a solution to the conflict. The result is binding and enforced by law.
Copyright © 2009 Ray Myers, Jr. – All rights reserved
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About the Author: Ray Myers, Jr. is a PMP certified project manager with over 2o years experience planning and managing technology projects. Contact Ray at wwwpmservicesnw.com
Article source: www.pmservicesnw.com
