Conflict resolution

Conflict exists in every organization and to a certain extent indicates a healthy exchange of ideas and creativity. However, counter-productive conflict can result in employee dissatisfaction, reduced productivity, poor service to clients, absenteeism and increased employee turnover, increased work-related stress or, worse case scenario, litigation based on claims of harassment or a hostile work environment.

At the end of the month we are required to give in a report, I cannot complete my report until my co-worker gets all of the numbers to me. Unfortunately, I thought my co-worker believed in procrastinating until the last minute, forcing me to perform a rushed job, which increased my stress and makes me fear that that I will look bad to the boss. My co-worker feels like I put too much pressure on both of us, and sets unrealistic deadlines. Since I felt this was causing unnecessary conflict and our productivity and efficiency to decrease, I asked a meeting to resolve our feelings, where we both expressed our need to resolve the issue. 

Prior to this week, the conflict would have remained as is, I recognized the importance of being respectful of others opinion, and maintaining a professional manner.  I wanted to get a handle on the tension that was building and prevent overt conflict by quickly resolving the issue using a Third side conflict resolution technique  “Conflict is not a bad thing” it is how we manage conflict that counts.