What is Conflict Management?
Conflict Management is the process by which disputes are resolved and negative results are minimized while positive results are prioritized.
Conflict management refers to the practice of identifying and resolving conflict fairly and effectively. When employers manage conflicts properly, parties avoid escalating disagreements and feel heard and understood. Differing sides agree to collaborate and overcome the challenge. Some resolutions even offer innovative solutions.
Since conflicts in a business are a natural part of the workplace, there must be people who understand conflicts and know how to resolve them.
What 3rd level courses are available?
Universities and colleges in Ireland are offering courses in Conflict Management in the following subject areas:
- Conflict Management Course – Learn the skills necessary for a positive approach to conflict resolution.
- Conflict Management and crucial conversations – In-depth training in communication skills and how to have difficult conversations and minimize conflict management.
- Diploma in Negotiation and Conflict Management – The study of the conceptual framework of negotiations as it applies to all areas of negotiation in both the public and private sectors.
- Conflict Management Awareness Training – Learn how to correctly and safely deal with any conflict which may arise in the workplace.
Studying Conflict Management in college
Many courses in Conflict Management may take place over a few days, weeks, or even 1 year to 4 years depending on the course and modules selected. There are also part-time courses and night courses available so you can be sure to fit in your studies no matter what your schedule is like.
Courses will cover theory work through lectures, assignments, tutorials, and taught modules. Assessments will take place continuously with written examinations and practical assignments combined to achieve a qualification. You could also consider work experience or a work shadow in the industry. Relevant work experience is a good way of demonstrating a genuine interest in the field and is regarded favorably by employers.
Talking to staff already working in conflict management or work shadowing a professional will help you make well-informed applications. Work Experience will not only allow you to obtain a deeper knowledge and understanding of the industry, but it will also give you a chance to do some essential networking with other industry professionals and gain valuable contacts for the future.
Career options
After completing a Conflict Management course you will be able to get started in a career that uses specific knowledge of conflict resolution and management.
Conflict management is used by many individuals and businesses. Your role as the person responsible for conflict management will be that of a neutral person, who makes decisions on a dispute based on the evidence presented by the parties.
With the lengthy process, expense, and publicity often associated with traditional litigation, parties, particularly in the commercial sector, are increasingly using an arbitrator to settle their disputes. In addition, parties can choose their arbitrator and so you may be chosen for a particular skill or expertise that you may have.
Working hours will depend on whether you are self-employed, employed by a company with set business hours, or if you are contracted to various businesses or companies. Typical hours are full-time in a standard Monday to Friday work week, but hours could sometimes include extra hours to meet deadlines and you may have to do some evening work and/or international operating hours. You may also have to travel abroad for cross-border disputes.
Related jobs include:
- Human resources officer
- Office manager
- Arbitrator
- Occupational psychologist
- Training and development officer
- Business adviser
- Careers adviser
- Civil Service Fast Streamer
- Equality, diversity, and inclusion officer
- Health service manager
- Life coach
- Management consultant
- Mediator
- Operational researcher
- Recruitment consultant
- Sales executive
- Talent agent
- Trade union research officer
Further study
After completing a course in Conflict Management you may choose to pursue further study in a specialist field to increase your knowledge base and skill set. Postgraduate study can also be used as a means to change career focus or to gain professional qualifications required to practice in certain career areas such as business coaching and mentoring or employment law.
FAQ
What is the purpose of Conflict Management?
Conflict management is the process of limiting the negative aspects of conflict while increasing the positive aspects of the conflict. Conflict management aims to enhance learning and group outcomes, including effectiveness or performance in an organizational setting.
Why is Conflict Management important?
Conflict management helps to find a middle way, an alternative to any problem, and successful implementation of the idea. Problems must be addressed at the right time to prevent conflict and its adverse effects at a later stage.
Workplace conflict does not automatically mean that there are specific employees at fault, although in some cases that will be the issue. Conflict can also mean that employees are comfortable enough to challenge each other and that they feel as though their conflicts will be fairly resolved by the organization.
Conflict management, when done properly, can even increase the organizational learning of an organization through the questions asked during the process.
What are the different Conflict Management Styles?
Conflicts happen. How an employee responds and resolves conflict will limit or enable that employee’s success. Here are the five conflict styles that a manager will follow:
Collaborating Style – A combination of being assertive and cooperative, those who collaborate attempt to work with others to identify a solution that fully satisfies everyone’s concerns.
Competing Style – Those who compete are assertive and uncooperative and willing to pursue one’s concerns at another person’s expense. This style works when the parties in conflict don’t care about the relationship but the outcome is important.
Avoiding Style – Those who avoid conflict tend to be unassertive and uncooperative while diplomatically sidestepping an issue or simply withdrawing from a threatening situation.
Accommodating Style – The opposite of competing, there is an element of self-sacrifice when accommodating to satisfy the other person. While it may seem generous, it could take advantage of the weak and cause resentment.
Compromising Style – This style aims to find an expedient, mutually acceptable solution that partially satisfies both parties in the conflict while maintaining some assertiveness and cooperativeness.
Where can I study Conflict Management?
Explore your options here
Did You Know?
· A study showed that 42% of a manager’s time is spent on reaching an agreement with others when conflicts occur which is one to two days per week.
· In World War II, the youngest serviceman in the US military was Calvin Graham — age 12. Graham lied about his age when he enlisted in the US Navy. His real age was not discovered after he was wounded.
· Annual monetary benefits for sexual harassment cases handled by the EEOC between 1992 and 1998 have increased from $12.7 million to $34.5 million
· Inspired by the sight of soldiers’ faces ravaged by shrapnel, many of which remained covered by masks, Harold Gillies established the field of plastic surgery, pioneering the first attempts of facial reconstruction. As well as this, blood transfusions became routine to save soldiers, with the first blood bank established on the front line in 1917.
· 25% of employees avoid conflict by calling in sick or being absent from work.
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