Reflection Essay on Conflict Resolution

Introduction

Everyone faces conflict in their lives on a daily basis. It is an accepted and expected part of life. Conflict is not a problem in itself – it is what we do with it that counts. You can’t avoid conflict in your life, at home, at work, and even at play. Wherever people interact, there is a potential for conflict. That is not bad news because good things can arise, and relationships can improve through conflict, provided conflict is managed with thought and attention. The bad news is that most of us are fairly limited in how we manage and resolve conflict situations, often throwing gasoline on the fire.

It doesn’t have to be that way. Objectives At the end of the report, the graduate students will be able to:

1. Define Conflict and Conflict Resolution.
2. Name the 4 basic categories of Conflict Resolution.
3. Give at least 3 out of 11 strategies of conflict resolution.

Conflict among Nurses Nursing is a profession that is based on collaborative relationship with clients and colleagues but, when two or more people view issues from different perspectives, these relationships can be compromised by conflict. Although, the majority belief about conflict is as being negative issue.

However, the experience of dealing with conflict can lead to positive outcomes for nurses, their colleagues, and clients. If conflict is not managed effectively, it can hinder a nurse`s ability to provide quality client care and escalate into violence and abuse. Because of this, nurses need to be aware of the ways in which conflict can escalate and be prepared to prevent or manage it in the workplace. Because nurses have interpersonal relationship with people having a variety of different values, beliefs, backgrounds, and goals, conflict is an expected outcome.

The primary concern whenever there is conflict among nurses is the negative effects it will create on the quality of service given to the clients. A conflict that remains unresolved can have a far-reaching effect that ultimately influences every aspect of client care. Conflict that is managed effectively by nurses can lead to personal and organizational growth, but if not managed effectively, it can hinder a nurse’s ability to provide quality client care, and escalate into violence and abuse. Because of this, nurses need to be aware of the ways in which conflict can escalate and be prepared to prevent or manage it in the workplace.

Nurses who effectively deal with conflict demonstrate respect for their clients, colleagues, and the profession. Causes of Conflict The cause of workplace conflict is often misunderstood and blamed on personalities and misbehavior, but in reality much workplace conflict is systemic and endemic to the workplace environment. Ineffective organizational systems, unpredictable policies, incompatible goals, scarce resources, and Poor communication can all contribute to conflict among different parties in the workplace including the hospital settings.

Other causes of conflict may include, personality conflict, value difference, goal differences among others. Similarly, Johnson, 1994. Maintains that, “cost containment, restructuring of health care organizations, and competitions have given rise to increased conflict for nursing”.

Conflict Resolution Skills:

1.  Initiate discussion – choose the issue(s) you want to address and be specific
2.  Communicate – choose language that is concise, avoiding vague/general terms
3.  LISTEN – effectively
4.  Recognize the need and ability to make personal changes
5.  Learn and use what you have learned . Seek out resources and support as necessary

Conflict According Farlex free dictionary, conflict is defined as a state of disharmony between incompatible or antithetical persons, ideas, or interests; a clash. Also, Kelly, 2006. Defined conflict as “A disagreement between individuals who perceive a threat to their needs, interests, and or concerns”.

General perceptions of conflict as “negative:”

1.  Anger
2. Disagreement
3. Hostility
4. Threat
5. Anxiety
6.  Competition
7.  Tension
8.  Violence
9. Destruction
10. Pain
11. War Potential Productive

Outcomes of Conflict:

1.  Clarifying
2. Learning
3.  Stimulating
4.  Intimate
5.  Courageous
6. Strengthening
7.  Creative
8. Helpful
9.  Enriching
10. Caring
11. Opportunity
12.  Inclusive
13.  Managing conflict constructively depends in large measure on clear, open, and honest communication

Conflict Resolution

Conflict resolution is conceptualized as the methods and processes involved in facilitating the peaceful ending of conflict. Often, committed group members attempt to resolve group conflicts by actively communicating information about their conflicting motives or ideologies to the rest of the group.

Nature of Conflict

Through the integration of participants’ perspectives, interests, belief systems and values, conflict and conflict resolution play important roles in individual and social evolution and development. Conflict arises when one or more participants view the current system as not working. At least one party is sufficiently dissatisfied with the status quo that they are willing to own the conflict and speak up with the hope of being able to influence the situation to arrive at an improved condition. Conflict may be viewed as a process we put ourselves through to achieve a new condition and self-definition.

Through conflict we have opportunities to be creatively self-defining. If nothing else, conflict allows us to do things differently in the future. Through the resolution of conflict, we can, if we choose, evolve and redefine ourselves, our relationships, our community, our society and our world. It is no accident that we most often find ourselves in conflict with those with whom we spend the most time — family, friends, business associates, and fellow organizational members. There is a great benefit, in terms of the quality of our lives, in being able to constructively resolve conflict with those around us. Basic Categories of Conflict Intrapersonal Conflict > The conflict that is happening inside of an individual is intrapersonal conflict. This type of conflict takes place when there is an inconsistency in our ideas, attitudes, emotions or values. This type of conflict occurs within the person. It involves an internal struggle to clarify contradictory values or wants. A nurse occasionally feels conflicted as she struggles to balance her job requirements with her personal life and beliefs. In this situation, a nurse is experiencing intrapersonal conflict.

Ethical dilemmas are often a source of intrapersonal conflict, although nurses can experience it for other reasons. For example, a nurse at work may have an intrapersonal conflict if her child is at home sick, since she feels an obligation to her employer and a need to be home with her child. Interpersonal Conflict > Interpersonal conflict is the conflict that takes place between individuals–friends, family members, couples or even strangers. These types of conflicts usually take place when people communicate directly with each other. When two nurses disagree, an interpersonal conflict occurs.

These types of conflicts are not limited solely to nurses, as patients can enter into an interpersonal conflict with a nurse if they don’t agree with an assessment or recommendation. Interpersonal conflict can be visible as it sometimes results in a person verbally attacking someone else. It can be more damaging to a medical facility if patients witness the conflict. Intragroup Conflict ; Conflict that occurs within a small group of people is intragroup conflict. These conflicts can involve members of a family or workplace team and usually stem from individual differences that end up affecting the entire group.

Intergroup Conflict

Intergroup conflict occurs between different groups. An example is the feud that occurred between the Montagues and the Capulets in Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet. ” When conflict is this large, it can often continue for many years and is extremely complicated to resolve.

References

1. http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Conflict_resolution
2. http://www. mindtools. com/pages/article/newLDR_81.
3. htm http://www. helpguide. org/mental/eq8_conflict_resolution.
4. htm http://www. edcc. edu/counseling/documents/Conflict. pdf