Functional Versus Dysfunctional Conflict

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Conflict is defined as a process that begins when one party perceives that another party has negatively affected, or is about to negatively affect, something that the first party cares about. Whilst thinking about this definition how could we expect that there could be a functional side of conflict that would help our business grow. Functional conflict is conflict that supports the goals of the group and improves its performance, whereas dysfunctional conflict hinders group performance. What groups are looking for and trying to solve, the problem of, is how to increase their functional conflict and decrease their dysfunctional conflict. While dealing with conflict there are five key styles for handling dysfunctional conflict and two stimulating methods for stimulating functional conflict. A group looking at how to stimulate functional conflict will see there are generally two choices on how to do this, the first is Devil’s Advocacy and the second is dialectical inquiry. While using Devil’s Advocacy Method there are six key factors that will need be used so that the group can grow with new ideas. The first is to generate a new course of action. When generating this new course of action the group will need to compromise their plans to get the best result. Next the devil’s advocate will advocate the proposal, this should be done in a manner where cognitive conflict will be presented and there will be a difference of opinion however no one will be personally attacked. The critique will need to be presented to the key decision makers, including team leaders as well as upper management. Relevant information will need to be gathered, and will help in presenting these new ideas. After this the decision-making process will comes in, it will need to decide if the group adopts, modify, or discontinue the proposed course of action that has been suggested. The final

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