Conflict is not always bad. The manner in which a conflict situation is handled plays as major part in its outcome. If conflicting parties are willing to work together toward a favourable outcome, using a rational, interest based process can produce a long lasting outcome favourable outcome for both parties. If, on the other hand, the feuding parties cannot reach a compromise, then the conflict will more than likely result in broken relationships. Conflict can stretch from a mild disagreement to all out war, and is an inevitable element of interpersonal communication. . If a person's values are challenged or if they feel that their needs have not been met, then conflict is likely to arise.
             When a dispute arises, it is easy to focus on its downside. This way of thinking can largely be based on past experiences where relationships have been broken and time and money wasted. It can also be attributed to the dislike that most people have to confrontations. As much as we tend to focus on the bad side of conflict, we are also able to quote examples of conflict producing good results, such as : union management disputes that have been resolved with an outcome favorable to employees, as well as to management; a natural resource dispute that may have taken up years of court time, but resolved by using the correct conflict management technique saving both time and money; and a bad working relationship between employee and employer salvaged as a result of taking into consideration both parties needs and interests.
             Managing conflict is a skill that is necessary to deal with day to day life. There will always be situations where we disagree with others and their values and opinions. It is how we express disagreement that provides the essential element in creating a suitable atmosphere for friendship, workplace relations and other forms of interaction between parties. When conflict arises, we have the option of dealing with it in ...