Friday, May 11, 2012
Week 5/7-5/13: Creativity and the Ideal Conflict Manager: Part 1
After reading Chapter 16, it is apparent that people have such negative views of conflict because many people do not know how to manage it effectively or efficiently. While this is taking place a conflict may be filled with heightened emotions, avoidance, silence, and may be leading to violence or a terminated relationship. All of these previously mentioned factors are usually seen as negative, so people often assume all conflict is correlated with negative emotions, thoughts, and actions. As more people become more educated on the subject of conflict, its numerous forms, and the ways in properly managing it- conflict is feared much less. We fear the unknown and if the mass population does not choose to enroll in a conflict or communication type class, they will always fear conflict. It is a shame we do not incorporate communication studies more frequently in our school systems since it is an imperative part of our family, professional, and other parts of our lives.
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You make a few great points. The first being your statement, “People often assume all conflict is correlated with negative emotions.” This correlation is the primary reason why people tend to view conflict as inherently dangerous or negative. As you also mention, with education conflict is feared much less. We learn that we can actually benefit from certain conflicts if we handle them correctly. Part of this initial conflict avoidance comes from the fact that, as kids, we of course lacked conflict resolution skills. Unfortunately this attitude can carry over into adulthood, thus perpetuating the cycle.
ReplyDeleteI could not agree with you more. I believe that communication and conflict should be incorporated as a requirement for general education. If more people were educated on how to deal with conflict, it would make a world of a difference. If people took classes on conflict, people would then see it more as a learning experience this way; conflicts do not have to reoccur. I also agree with you that conflict a lot of the times includes emotions, avoidance and even termination of a relationship. This is true, therefore this why people see conflict as such a negative situation. If people would just learn how to manage conflict better it would not be such a fear
ReplyDeleteI think you hit it right on the head with your opening sentence, ultimately its about knowledge. It takes time and effort to make something an art. And I think that with conflict we need practice. And of course people are going to have bad views because they dont know how to treat it. Its very important to realize that we must educate ourselves and look at things as a whole, and not just pieces. I think that it is very true that conflict should be a GE requirement, because eventually college students become the worlds leaders, and we need to find a way to make this world a better place. I think you did a really great job on this post, conflict management is very important. Great Post!
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