Human Relations - Conflict Resolution - Cowan - Essay Example

The central idea concentrates on the role of conflict in Organizations. Conflicts come under three categories: internal, interpersonal and intrapersonal. Proper management of conflict helps to improve efficiency and output of an Organization. Cowan points out that the key to success is to take advantage of conflict, not to yield. Difference in conflict resolution method used creates the difference between well and poorly managed conflict. The sources of conflict in an organization are: ideas, opinions and issues.

Well managed conflicts fabricate positive change which reshapes the culture of an Organization. It is to be pointed out that conflict destroys trust among individuals, groups, and Organization. The work-‘Taking Charge of Organizational Conflict: A Guide to Managing Anger and Confrontation’ by David Cowan, points makes clear that:“Conflict has as much potential for producing positive results as it does for generating negative results.” (Cowan, 2003, p. 68) conflicts have the capacity to generate positive and negative results.

The only difference is that how one confronts it. Next idea deals with the topic of understanding the nature of the conflict and how it affects one’s individuality. Evaluation of the conflict says that there is no good or bad conflict, but just conflict. When an Organization is diverse with manpower, there is high chance for conflict. But when diversity is considered as an asset, it is no more an issue. Cowan make clear that there is creative energy underlying most conflicts. So it is better to take advantage of conflict, not to ignore it.

The next idea deals with the conditions that generate conflict, its dynamics and its organizational consequences. Cowan points out that dialogue is important in conflict resolution and it is essential to provide a medium for dialogue to deal with conflicts. During dialogue, listening plays an important role and is closely connected to conflict resolution strategy. In managing