Conflict Management

Conflict is something that every person has to deal with at some point in his or her own life. It may be with a friend, a family member, a co-worker, or a group member. What’s important is how you choose to handle a conflict. I just wrapped up a communications course for school, and came across a very useful chart that assesses how a person may view conflict: positive or negative. What are your personal attitudes toward conflict?

Here’s a test to help you find out.
1. State your personal definition of conflict, and indicate how you feel when involved in a conflict.
2. Use the scale below to assess the extent to which you consider conflict in a small group. For each rating, circle the number the best reflects how you feel.
a. Total you circled numbers
b. Score of 10-14: You believe that conflict is definitely positive
c. Score of 15-20: You believe that conflict can be helpful
d. Score of 21-30: You do not like to think about conflict
e. Score of 31-40: You believe that conflict is something to try and avoid
f. Score of 41-50: You believe that conflict is definitely negative

Conflict: Positive or Negative?
Good 1 2 3 4 5 Bad
Rewarding 1 2 3 4 5 Threatening
Normal 1 2 3 4 5 Abnormal
Constructive 1 2 3 4 5 Destructive
Necessary 1 2 3 4 5 Unnecessary
Challenging 1 2 3 4 5 Overwhelming
Desirable 1 2 3 4 5 Undesirable
Inevitable 1 2 3 4 5 Avoidable
Healthy 1 2 3 4 5 Unhealthy
Clean 1 2 3 4 5 Dirty

How did you do? And more importantly, what steps are you going to take to improve your score and help others improve their score? I found this to be useful and I am glad to know where I stand in how I view conflict.

References:
Gamble, T.K., & Gamble, M. (2008). Communication works. Boston: Mc Graw Hill.