Welcome to the main page of our public service site - your free conflict help center

 

Welcome To The Free Conflict Help Center

Where ever people gather and interact there will be differences of opinion, conflict, disagreements, disputes and arguments. It's a normal part of human functioning. We all have a tendency to shy away from conflict or view it as a negative process. What's easy to forget is that conflict can be a negative thing, or it can be positive depending on the characteristics of the conflict, and how we manage and handle disputes and disagreements.

This public service site was built to help people improve their ability to manage conflict effectively once it starts, and to prevent unnecessary conflict and misguided conflict escalation

Features of This Conflict Site

• Read free articles, tips and hints about managing conflict, interpersonal disagreements, and arguments written by conflict author and consultant, Robert Bacal
• Find hundreds of free conflict management and resolution articles annotated and available on the Internet. This conflict material ranges from the abstract (models of conflict) to conflict style instruments you can take online, through to workplace violence. We've included hundreds of hints, tips and practical suggestions about how you can reduce the frequence and intensity and damage of conflict situations at home, and at work.
• Learn: We've produced an innovative book on preventing conflict, and some shorter tools called "helpcards" that will help you with anger management, thinking through conflict strategies and getting along with other people. They pertain both to conflict, and to communication, since communication is so often implicated in conflict situations. Free previews are available for all of these learning tools, and they are available in printed format or via electronic download.
• Subscribe free of charge to our Work911 newsletter that contains updates on new articles added to the site, and articles, tips and hints on all aspects of workplace success

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Suggestion: There is a huge amount of conflict management, resolution material on this site. We suggest that you take your time and explore using the links in the top menu, and/or the drop down menus at the top.

The Conflict Library on this site contains over 1,000 articles, resources and tools to help you understand and manage conflict more effectively. To access all categories about conflict click here.

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Newest Conflict Related Resources On This Site:

• Conflict Between Managers - The Good and Bad

  By Leigh Richards - Conflict between managers can be expected in the workplace and is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, when properly managed, conflict can lead to new ideas, process improvements and even strengthened relationships. Organizations can take steps to help managers address conflict effectively so it becomes a positive rather than negative force in the organization. ^new (Added: 7-Jan-2013 Hits: 0

• How Managers Can Handle Conflict in the Workplace

  By Mitchell Holt - Short six step process managers can use to address conflict situations in their departments. ^new (Added: 7-Jan-2013 Hits: 0

• Guide to Managing Conflict At Work

  By Monash University - This comprehensive free online guide to workplace conflict contains sections on the following: The Nature of Workplace Conflict Early signs of workplace conflict Causes and drivers of workplace conflict People in conflict Understanding conflict styles Why intervene? Not all conflict is bad Section 2 - How to manage conflict at the local level Managing Conflict at the Local Level A model of conflict intervention The manager as role model Getting people talking Steps for facilitating conflict resolution Communication do's and don'ts How to manage when conflict involves you When to seek additional assistance ^new (Added: 7-Jan-2013 Hits: 0

• Managing conflict in the workplace

  By Carine van Rooyen - In most work teams, conflict is more or less inevitable. Poor outcomes, however, are not. Conflict situations could arise when, within a work team, personalities clash or there is disagreement about certain core values. Conflict, when compared to workplace disputes, is usually more of a long-term situation. And while, initially, it may involve only two individuals, it may escalate, with team members choosing sides. Eventually the whole office could be involved, and an extremely volatile atmosphere could be the result. When people focus on their distress, their work no doubt suffers. Office conflict can lead to lower employee productivity (where gossip and tension becomes a waste of valuable time and energy), poor work attendance, low employee morale, and non-cooperation within the work team. It may even lead to resignations and costly reappointments. At some point or another, it will become crucial for management to intervene. Of course, the trick is not to let things get out of hand in the first place. But how can this be achieved? ^new (Added: 7-Jan-2013 Hits: 0

• Managing Conflict At Work - A free 35 page booklet

  By ACAS - Looking for a great overview of conflict management at work? This free thirty+ page booklet provides some basics. ^new (Added: 7-Jan-2013 Hits: 0

• Conflict Resolution - Resolving conflict rationally and effectively

  By na - One could argue that conflict resolution through RATIONAL processes is impossible because you simply can't dispense with emotions in human relationships. That said, there's some great stuff in this article that includes conflict management styles and approaches, and a prescription for trying to be more logical and rational when it comes to conflict. ^new (Added: 7-Jan-2013 Hits: 0

• The Role of Assumptions, Perceptions and Expectations in Conflict

  By Vancouver Island University - Conflict is as much about our assumptions, perceptions and expectations as is it about the objective situation. Learn about how our perceptions shape our understanding of conflicts -- and make the essential distinction between what IS, and our interpretations. ^new (Added: 7-Jan-2013 Hits: 0

• Are all conflicts the result of personality clashes or poor behaviour?

  By Vancouver Island University - Addressed: Are most conflicts at work caused by behavior, or personality clashes. ^new (Added: 7-Jan-2013 Hits: 0

• How To Approach A Co-Worker You Are In Conflict With

  By Vancouver Island University - It's hard when you have ongoing conflicts with a co-worker. This article maps out some tips about how to approach a co-worker so you can work out a conflict in the workplace. ^new (Added: 7-Jan-2013 Hits: 0

• Managing Workplace Conflict - Why Bother

  By Vancouver Island University - Nice explanation why workplace conflict needs to be addressed, rather than ignored, including reference to the cost of conflict in the workplace. ^new (Added: 7-Jan-2013 Hits: 0

• Passive-Aggressiveness Harms Relationships - How?

  By Robert Bacal - In simple terms we explain why passive-aggressiveness is one of the most destructive things you can have going on in your relationships, and why it creates impossible to resolve conflict. (Added: 27-Aug-2012 Hits: 191

• Why Are People Passive-Aggressive?

  By Robert Bacal - You might be surprised to learn that passive-aggressive behavior is normal, common, but really destructive. Here's an explanation of why there is so much passive-aggresive behavior going around. (Added: 27-Aug-2012 Hits: 192

• Understanding Passive-Aggressiveness

  By Robert Bacal - To deal effectively with passive-aggressive talk and behavior you have to understand it. Here we provide some basics so you can look at your own behavior and that of others (Added: 27-Aug-2012 Hits: 175