Archives for Communication and Behavior

Conflict and Matrix Management

Matrix management evolved to enable organizations to deal with more complex issues. While it can be effective at improving information distribution and managing multiple aspects of product distribution, matrix management can also lead to increased conflicts. Research typically points to several conflict sources including ambiguous goals, uncertainty regarding decision making rights, and mixed employee loyalties. While conflicts may be natural in matrix settings, they do not have to lead to dysfunction. Some conflicts can be prevented by leaders taking time to clarify the organization’s larger goals. This can help prevent confusion over which goals take precedence, as well as how… Continue Reading Conflict and Matrix Management
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Categories: Communication and Behavior, Culture, Research, and Uncategorized.

Creating the Right Climate for Team Conflict

When team members are asked if they think that conflict is inevitable in team settings, they almost always answer – yes. When they are asked whether their team has a process in place for managing this inevitable conflict, they usually answer – no. As a result they often default to gut level instincts for managing conflict and almost always wind up with poor outcomes. What’s a team to do? In order to manage conflict effectively, team members need to be able to have open and honest discussion about their issues.  Creating an environment or climate where people are able to… Continue Reading Creating the Right Climate for Team Conflict
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Categories: Communication and Behavior, Culture, Research, and Uncategorized.

Criticizing Your Performance in Conflict

One of the passive destructive behaviors measured by the Conflict Dynamics Profile (CDP) instrument is called Self-Criticizing. This occurs when one obsesses over something they may have said or done in a conflict. The CDP measures how frequently a person uses this response to conflict. A little reflection about how you handled a conflict can probably be helpful by enabling you to learn from your mistakes. At the same time focusing on your mistakes by going over them time and again in your mind can sap your energy and prevent you from moving forward. How can you find the right… Continue Reading Criticizing Your Performance in Conflict
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Categories: Communication and Behavior, Research, and Uncategorized.

Polarization and Conflict

During recent months heated exchanges that have been highlighted in the media have led some to describe a “coarsening” of our national discourse. The conflicts seem to point to polarization that could make collaboration unachievable. In Becoming a Conflict Competent Leader, Tim Flanagan and Craig Runde introduced the concept of “intensity levels” of conflict. On the lower end differences and misunderstandings are part of our normal experience and can be overcome by taking time to listen carefully to one another.  When these are not managed they can grow into disagreements which require more effort to resolve. When conflict is avoided or… Continue Reading Polarization and Conflict
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Categories: Communication and Behavior and Uncategorized.