Conflict occurs in situations in which people are interdependent, seek different outcomes, favor different methods to the same end, or perceive others are interfering with their ability for rewards or resources. A persons behavior in conflict situations can be described by two basic dimensionsassertiveness and cooperation. Assertiveness is the extent to which the team member attempts to satisfy his own concerns. Cooperation is the team members attempt to satisfy the other persons concerns. There are five specific methods of dealing with conflict using these two dimensions: competing, collaborating, compromising, avoiding, and accommodating. Each one of us has a tendency for one or more behavior styles depending on the situation.
When teams form, there will be conflict. Any time there is more than one person, you will have conflict. How do you handle conflict?
Understanding the style with which you are comfortable is important when you are dealing with conflict with one person or in a group. For example, if avoidance is how you deal with conflict, when it arises, you will shrink back, saying to yourself, I dont want to do this. Your thoughts might go like, Its bad...