Leadership Studies & Practicum

Understanding Conflict

Potential Outcomes of​ Constructive Conflict

● Opens up and clarifies issues

● Helps to resolve problems and move parties forward

● Discloses new information and perspectives

● Promotes authentic and empathic communication

● Facilitates team learning and individual participant growth

● Assists in generating breakthroughs, creativity, and innovative

thinking

Potential Outcomes of ​Destructive Conflict

● Saps energy and diminishes moral

● Polarizes participants and deepens differences

● Delays team problem solving and hampers individual growth