Understanding Conflict

Understanding Conflict

The dictionary defines conflict as “incompatibility or interference, as of one idea, desire, event, or activity with another.”  Shockley-Zalaback defines conflict as a process that occurs when individuals, small groups, or organizations perceive or experience frustration in attaining goals and addressing concerns. The resolution of conflict can be the main determining factor to uncharted productivity or all-out war. Many organizations, have been ravished by internal wars or completely decimated by its affect. In early times, conflict resolution was a major deal. Organizational issues were handled on a case-by-case basis and problems were addressed openly. In today’s society, conflict has almost become a “nasty” word often times inadvertently addressed or prolonged until it turns into civil war. Organizational conflict has become cliché and organizations have become less inclined to divert resources or manpower to its diffusion. In turn, organizations will let it fester until simple mediation or negotiations cannot deflect the impeding war.