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Workplace Confict And Resolution

Introduction
Conflict is what has allowed us and our society to grow and become stronger.   On a large scale it has brought peace and harmony.   On a smaller level it allows one to understand oneself and seek out happiness.   However, in today's workforce, conflict and competitiveness can be either very destructive or very productive.   As one develops an understanding of the inter-workings of their job one develops professional relationships with fellow employees and therefore learns to work together towards a common goal.   However a common occurrence as a part of this professional relationship is conflict.   Conflict can allow companies or agencies to see their weaknesses and where they are the least effective.   Being able to resolve these conflicts leads to a more profitable company, happier and more productive employees, and creates a more effective work environment.   Conflict however can be damaging if not resolved quickly.
Types of Workplace Conflict
Conflict in the workplace of one form or another can occur at any time.   There are many types of conflict that can arise between two or more employees resulting in a work life that can become very difficult, stressful and unhealthy for a company's employees and very costly for the company if the conflict is not taken care of appropriately.  
According to Wilf H. Ratzburg, conflict is caused by incompatibility between actual or desired outcomes, a perceived disagreement, or incompatible
attitudes, motives, values, expectations, or activities (Ratzburg, "Conflict Defined").   The three general causes of conflict are communication, organizational, and personal.
Communication is probably the biggest area for conflict as words can be understood several different ways.   Often times "it is not what is said, but how it is said."   One must also take into consideration noise, as a form of distorted signals and misunderstandings (Ratzburg, "Causes of Conflict").
Organizational conflict occurs mainly when groups are...