Conflict Management

One of the vital element in any organization is how to effectively utilize the human resource in the organization.It is in view of this that DevtPlan Consults has been organizing  and facilitating  Capacity Building Workshops for MMDAs in Ghana. In April, we were at Sekyere Afram Plains District Assembly, for another capacity building workshop.The broad objective of the workshop was to improve the cohesion, cooperation and internal working relationships of key staff and heads of departments within the Sekyere Afram Plains District Assembly to enable them effectively work together and deliver on their mandate.

The workshop was also to enhance the skills and competencies of participants in the areas of Team Building, Leadership, conflict management and public procurement.

This is a post on the Conflict Management module used for the workshop, hope you would find it educative and would be willing to consult DevtPlan to help build the capacity of your employees.

So What Really is Conflict?

Conflict is a natural disagreement resulting from individuals or groups that differ in attitudes, beliefs, values or needs. It can also originate from past rivalries and personality differences. The potential for conflict exists whenever and wherever people have contact.

Are Conflicts Avoidable?

Conflicts in teams are inevitable given the tendency that we may “step on one another’s toes” due to our own inadequacies and our attraction or repulsion towards other people. Resolved conflicts lead to greater creativity. If conflicts are not resolved; people will be less likely to express new ideas. If the conflict is understood, it can be effectively managed by reaching a consensus that meets both the individual's and society's needs.

 What Do you Think are some Causes of Conflicts in an Organization?

 Conflicts exit in any organization because there is a likelihood that employees would step on one another's toes. Some causes of conflicts that we identified are listed below;

• Lack of Communications
• Lack of effective leadership or decision-making
• Unresolved Prior Conflicts
• Discrepancies in role performances
• Needs
• Perceptions
• Power
• Belief
• Values
• Feelings and Emotions

 How then Do we Manage Conflict?

Conflicts can be managed in two main ways namely:

• Avoiding or reducing the possibility of occurrence
• Handling conflicts when they arise.

Measures for avoiding or reducing the possibility of conflicts occurring include:

• Having basic rules/constitution.
• Holding frequent meetings to discuss issues.
• Sharing information.
• Encouraging members to seek clarifications on issues they do not understand
• Ensure frequent accountability.
• Adopting participatory leadership.

Steps in Managing Conflicts

·         Step1: Analyze the conflict.

·         Step2: Determine the management Strategy

·         Step 3: Pre-negotiation ….. . Want More ? Call our office and let us take you through the rest.

Is your team or organization having drawbacks in implementing its project because of conflicts? Worry know more at DevtPlan consult we organize and facilitates Capacity Building workshops for MMDAs in Ghana, as well as other organizations and institutions, contact us for the steps in managing conflicts as well as strategies in conflict management . You can give as a call on 024 4666458 / 024 4694634/026 6598157 or walk into our office located at Plot Number 8A Block IX, Asafo- Dadiesoaba, opposite the offices of the registrar general’s department, Kumasi. Alternatively, you can drop as a mail at info@devtplanconsult.org

devtplanconsult@yahoo.com

abdulgafus@yahoo.com,

Thank You.