Page 28 - DMGT519_Conflict Management and Negotiation Skills

Conflict Management and Negotiation Skills

Notes rather than productive conflict management. Mature parties to a conflict are often able to see the
super ordinate purpose and use creative problem-solving processes keeping that super ordinate
purpose constantly in view. Where situational requirements are unable to bring about the
requisite conditions for creative conflict management, third parties may intervene.

2.1 Effective Strategies for Managing Human Conflict

Some propositions may guide development of effective strategies for managing human conflict.
Three of these are summarized below:
1. Conflict is inescapable in interdependent relationship where the actions of one party have
consequences for the other, and vice-versa. This offers hope and provides logic for mutually
satisfactory, collaborative and developmental resolution of conflict.

2. Conflict grows out of similarities in the needs and values of parties when using scarce and
indivisible resources. It is implicit in the compulsion to simultaneously satisfy similar
needs and values through inadequate resources. Such conflict can be resolved either by
enlarging resources, or by sharing and collaborating. It may seem like a contradiction in
terms, but similarities in needs and values need not always lead to cooperation.
3. Contrarily, conflict also has roots in differing needs and values of interdependent people.
Such conflict may raise its head in term of what to do, or how to do. Resolution may lie in
breaking up the groups, in compromise, in negotiating or in some creative synthesis
towards a new direction or method. A creative synthesis kind of resolution may give rise
to a better understanding-among persons with differing values and needs-of each other’s
perspectives.

Did u know?
1. The United Nations and other multilateral organizations have helped parties in
conflict avert the use of force; and, facilitate ceasefires, negotiations, and settlements.
2. Between 1945 and 2000, there were over 300 international conflicts and more than
3,750 cases of mediation. For example:
(a) 255 worldwide conflicts were resolved by some form of mediation between
1945-1974 alone.

(b) Civil negotiation and formal mediation brought many civil wars to an end,
including in El Salvador, Mozambique, Namibia, Nicaragua, and South Africa.

Self Assessment

Fill in the blanks:

1. ................................... is inescapable in interdependent relationship where the actions of
one party have consequences for the other, and vice-versa.
2. Conflict grows out of similarities in the needs and values of parties when using scarce and
............................ resources.
3. A conflict has been set up-subtle, or ..........................
4. Conflict must be perceived by the ................................... to it. If no one is aware of a conflict,
then it is generally agreed that no conflict exists.

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