Staff vs. Management

Similar to staff vs. staff conflict, staff vs. management reflects the same issues and requires the same leadership and understanding to be resolved. The greater challenge is the leaders may be the one involved in the conflict itself and may require an outside support the mitigate further issues.

Not all leaders inherently have the skills for conflict management but it is believed that they can be learned (Overton & Lowry, 2013). The main principles behind conflict management are that:

1. Conflict is inevitable and that both positive and negative consequences may occur depending on how the conflict is managed.

2. The results are likely to be better with active engagement rather than avoidance.

3. People must be motivated to address conflict.

4. Behavioural, cognitive, and emotional skills can be acquired.

5. Emotional skills require self-awareness.

6. The environment must be neutral and feel safe (Overton & Lowry, 2013).