How to Recognize Positive & Negative Conflict

In the book "Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In," the authors state that "conflict lies not in objective reality, but in people's heads" (p. 22). Conflict is usually more about how people feel than it is about the facts of the matter. When people feel conflicted, they can begin to shut down and stop working together, or they can take it as a signal to discover new things about each other and learn to work together even better.

Instructions

• 1

  Listen to every perspective on the issue. Intransigent people will not be willing to compromise or listen to the views of others. You will see positive conflict when people are willing to listen and change.

• 2

  Look at the results of the conflict. Negative conflict will result in a breakdown in further communication and productivity. Positive conflict will open channels of communication and allow for greater productivity.

• 3

  Talk to the people on the periphery of the conflict. Positive conflict will motivate and encourage people who were not directly involved. Negative conflict will cause people to avoid confrontation.