Conflict happens. Here’s how to manage it.

Like birth, death, and taxes – conflict is inevitable.

Whenever people gather together, there are bound to be different points of view that often lead to disagreements. Conflict in the workplace can be an unwelcomed distraction, and can result in damaged relationships and lower morale.

The ability to manage conflict is an important managerial skill.

A study of middle and top-level executives revealed that the average manager spends about 20 percent of his or her time dealing with conflict, according to HR Magazine.

Keep in mind that conflict can have a positive side. If handled properly, conflict at work can help employees discover better solutions and possibly spark major innovations.

Whether conflict becomes a full-blown feud or inspires creative problem solving, in large part, is up to the managers. If managers don’t handle conflict well, it may actually provoke additional problems.

So what are the ways to manage conflict? Here are our suggestions.

· When attempting to solve a dispute, first focus on common goals. Try to find an area of agreement before negotiating disagreement.

· Practice active listening skills to sort through the sources of conflict. When people feel heard, they are more likely to listen to another point of view.

· Discuss problem situations with all parties before determining the best course of action. Seek feedback from someone else on the proposed solution before instituting it. Look for win-win solutions.

· Examine your work processes or organizational structure to determine if reorganization might reduce stress and conflicts. Conflict is not always caused by interpersonal problems, but may be the result of inherent structural problems.

How do you handle conflict in the workplace?

The Booth Company Releases Updated 360 Survey for Conflict Management

The Booth Company, an international provider of leadership development 360 surveys, announces the release of a major revision of "Conflict Management Survey” which was first released as an online 360 instrument in 2005.

Boulder, CO (PRWEB) January 19, 2010 -- The Booth Company, an international provider of leadership development 360 surveys, announces the release of a major revision of "Conflict Management Survey" which was first released as an online 360 instrument in 2005. The new 360 version provides a finer distinction between the common conflict styles of competition, compromise, collaboration, avoidance, and consensus seeking. An overall assessment of effectiveness has been added to the new survey, along with a revised rating scale. The latest release incorporates current research, statistical analysis, and customer feedback to refresh its relevancy.

By collecting this information from stakeholders
participants are expected to have a better opportunity to consciously choose among conflict management strategies and to use them more effectively. This survey is expected to be useful for anybody in a position where interpersonal relations are vital to their effectiveness, especially those who manage the work of others or who are in the role of change agent in their organization.
The Conflict Management Survey (CMS) is a 360 degree feedback assessment that provides managers and other leaders with feedback on their style and effectiveness in managing conflict. Dr. Daniel Booth, author of the revision, stated that the survey "provides insight into the person's primary and secondary styles of managing conflict. People have an idea of how they manage conflict, but their perceptions of themselves may not be accurate. Perceptions of others are vital for adjusting self-perception because it is very likely that in a work setting, people's behavior may be seen differently by their peers, employees, customers, and by their own manager."

The overall effectiveness dimension can be thought of as a "soft bottom line" to the whole question of styles. While each style can be effective under the right conditions, if the effectiveness is rated low, it will be relatively easy to back through the behaviors and reconsider one's use of styles with each stakeholder group or individual.

"By collecting this information from stakeholders," Dr. Booth continued, "participants are expected to have a better opportunity to consciously choose among conflict management strategies and to use them more effectively. This survey is expected to be useful for anybody in a position where interpersonal relations are vital to their effectiveness, especially those who manage the work of others or who are in the role of change agent in their organization."

About The Booth Company
The Booth Company publishes and administers 360 degree feedback surveys, most of which are based on the Task Cycle®, a validated theory of leadership and management roles. Its comprehensive set of surveys measure the fundamental skills of mission-critical organizational roles, including executives, first-line and middle managers. The survey results are compared to continuously updated industry and country norms. Since 1972 The Booth Company has distributed its surveys and feedback workshops internationally through corporate universities and an exclusive network of certified senior executive coaches.

For clients utilizing their own survey content, The Booth Company offers flexible survey hosting services, as well as statistical and psychometric consulting. It also provides advanced reporting opportunities, with a variety of aggregate reports ideal for group benchmarking and strategic planning purposes.