Source of Conflict

Sources of Conflict

The author, Guttman, H.M. characterizes the sources of conflict as divergent opinions, cultures, ideas and interests which collide on grand and mundane scales. He metaphorically mentions the brothers of the bible Cain and Abel (mundane scale). If brothers can be at odds with one another, the probability of employees and employers within a company will definitely have some interpersonal conflict within a company. On the other end of the spectrum he makes reference to the Hundred Years War, lasting from 1337-1453, which would be on the grander scale of conflict; disagreement between France and England over land (territory). This being stated, no relationship is safe from interpersonal conflict.

Conflict resolution is not only in the jurisdiction of HR people. Conflict resolution works best if it is tackled by the team or organization as a whole. In the case assignment article, Conflict Management as a Core Competency for HR Professionals, People and Strategy by Howard M. Guttman (2009), the leaders or co-founders of the company seemed to be the ones who recognized the interpersonal conflict of the companies. HR was the internal support for the effort or the custodian. Since HR has access to all personnel, they are the most reasonable choice as the hub of the conflict management. The leader or managers normally are the ones to give the directive for HR to come up with a plan to deal with the conflict resolution. All the organization members must be involved from the top down and bottom up and horizontally across the board for the management of conflict. When the team is and feels empowered, there is ownership in the success of the team.

It is very important and necessary to understand the sources of conflict in order to establish a plan of managing the conflict in the organization. The manger’s role of setting up teams would be easier if he knew what the causes of the conflict. For example, if the conflict is caused by limited resources;...