Career Column:
What's Your Conflict Management Style?

You brought your lunch to work, and put it in the fridge, yet it's gone by lunch when you go to retrieve it. This is the second time in two weeks... Your coworker consistently interrupts when you're making your big pitch... Your supervisor overwhelms you with new responsibilities then accepts all the credit for your hard work...

You know these issues need to be addressed yet you are uncertain on the proper approach. While it is a natural response to try and avoid conflict at work, it is truly inevitable. Although seen as an indicator of poor management 100 years ago, conflict is common, expected, and sometimes pervasive in today's diverse workplace.

Afterall, with diversity comes innovative thinking that strengthens common goal-setting, leads to streamlined processes or inventions, and improves services. Everyone has a specific style for dealing with conflict...some constructive and others not so much. The good news is there are conflict management styles that are healthy and yield positive results. Didn't know there were various styles or that you had a choice?

The style and accompanying skills needed to respond effectively to diverse thinking are far from common. It might not come easy initially, however effective skills can be learned or acquired over time, like learning the taste of a vintage wine.