Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Organizational conflict can be classified into two distinct categories which are internal and
external. Internal conflict is personal to the person involved. This type of conflict takes place within
the person. It can surface when a person’s values or morals are tested or otherwise compromised.
Internal conflict can greatly impact the person’s performance level. External conflict is observed in
outside forces that cause struggle for the person, such as an unhappy customer or an unruly supplier
and be caused when the management style of the business owner does not set well with the
employees of the organization.
Conflicts cause stress, which reduces worker satisfaction. This diminished satisfaction can
lead to increases in absenteeism and turnover. Conflict can also diminish trust in supervisors and
fellow employees, which can slow or stop progress on projects.
Ways to handle conflicts are by getting to the cause. Focus on deep-rooted causes rather
than superficial effects when assessing conflicts. Attempting to resolve the conflict by addressing
surface issues will rarely create meaningful change or lasting solutions. Look deeper to address the
reasons that incident occur. Give all parties of a conflict an equal voice, regardless of their position,
length of service or political influence. Conflict participants can become defensive if they feel they
are being marginalized or are going through a process leading to a predetermined outcome.