LRS
Conflict Management & Workplace
Relations
Conflict in the workplace refers to the negative differences in opinion or heightened emotional
states experienced by individuals or teams, typically stemming from disagreements or disputes
over specific organizational issues.
1. Categories of Organizational Conflict
Functional Conflict (Constructive) Dysfunctional Conflict (Destructive)
• Healthy Resolution: Parties engage
• Productivity Decline: Stems from
with open-mindedness, respecting diverse
egos, personal agendas, and compromise
viewpoints.
gaps.
• Innovation: Drives creativity,
• Communication Barriers:
challenges status quo, and boosts
Misunderstandings and severe communication
performance.
breakdowns.
• Devils Advocacy: Intentionally
• Negative Workplace Impact: Requires
highlights flaws in ideas to perfect tasks.
immediate management intervention to avoid
escalation.
Key Outcomes:
- Creates issue awareness
Key Outcomes:
- Enhances team problem-solving
- Atmosphere of mistrust
- Mitigates group-think risks
- Blame, gossip, and backstabbing
- Clarifies misperceptions
- High stress & low job satisfaction
- Increased staff turnover
- Wasted organizational resources
- Potential physical or verbal violence
2. Core Reasons for Workplace Conflict
Diverse Backgrounds, Cultures, and Values: Mismatched values can cause friction, leading
to reduced productivity. Managers need to assess team cultural awareness. Sensitivity training
focusing on emotional intelligence and mutual boundaries is highly recommended.
1
Conflict Management & Workplace
Relations
Conflict in the workplace refers to the negative differences in opinion or heightened emotional
states experienced by individuals or teams, typically stemming from disagreements or disputes
over specific organizational issues.
1. Categories of Organizational Conflict
Functional Conflict (Constructive) Dysfunctional Conflict (Destructive)
• Healthy Resolution: Parties engage
• Productivity Decline: Stems from
with open-mindedness, respecting diverse
egos, personal agendas, and compromise
viewpoints.
gaps.
• Innovation: Drives creativity,
• Communication Barriers:
challenges status quo, and boosts
Misunderstandings and severe communication
performance.
breakdowns.
• Devils Advocacy: Intentionally
• Negative Workplace Impact: Requires
highlights flaws in ideas to perfect tasks.
immediate management intervention to avoid
escalation.
Key Outcomes:
- Creates issue awareness
Key Outcomes:
- Enhances team problem-solving
- Atmosphere of mistrust
- Mitigates group-think risks
- Blame, gossip, and backstabbing
- Clarifies misperceptions
- High stress & low job satisfaction
- Increased staff turnover
- Wasted organizational resources
- Potential physical or verbal violence
2. Core Reasons for Workplace Conflict
Diverse Backgrounds, Cultures, and Values: Mismatched values can cause friction, leading
to reduced productivity. Managers need to assess team cultural awareness. Sensitivity training
focusing on emotional intelligence and mutual boundaries is highly recommended.
1
