Conflict Resolution Strategies

Introduction to Conflict Resolution Strategies

In order to be able to clearly discuss conflict resolution strategies it is first necessary to explain a little about teams and team works; define what conflict is and how it can arise when working within a team environment; and most importantly suggest some strategies to resolve conflict.

The easiest way of explaining what a team is, is as follows: a co-operative group of people working together to attain a common goal or set of goals; “a number of persons associated together in work or activity” (Websters, 2006) which on its own can be problematic, as each person brings his or her own skill set into the group; there may be members that have language / speech barriers; may be members that do not pull their weight and meet targets set. All of which can lead to conflict within a team environment.

The biggest common feature of a team has to be that of communication. It is one of the few ways to become a team and to have a better understanding of each other; with common objectives and goals. It should define what should and should not be done by all members of a team. Without effective communication conflict may and does arise within the team.

So what is conflict? After researching many different legal definitions this is the authors’ interpretation of the word conflict taken from Web Site titled Managing Organizational Discord to Your Welfare.