Conflict Management Skills Free Essay Example, 2250 words

As the paper outlines, conflict management skills include assertiveness, listening skills, empathy, and a win/win approach. In conflict management, assertiveness should not in any way be compared with aggressiveness. Assertiveness is the ability to express one s feelings and assert one s right in a way that is respectful of the feelings and rights of others. The reason why assertiveness may be equated with aggressiveness lies in the fact they are both direct ways of expressing one s needs. They involve people standing up for their rights. Still, assertiveness recognizes and respects the other person with whom one is involved in a conflict with. In such a case one often respects his/herself and assumes the best about the other person. The consequence of this is that they look for a win-win situation and thus reach a compromise. This is in total contrast with aggressiveness where disrespectful, manipulative, or abusive behavior is employed. In most cases, aggressiveness is retaliatory without taking into consideration the other person s point of view. Its goal does not lie in the effective resolution of a conflict rather in just the expression of emotions. We will write a custom essay sample on Conflict Management Skills or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/page As they talk no unrelated issues should be brought forth. Moreover, he should be able to repeat and clarify what he wants from the man. (Greenfield 1998) Again, the managers/employers or even fellow employees need to employ what is referred to as active listening skills. In active listening, the aim is to try and understand what the other person is saying. This involves paraphrasing what the other person is saying in order to communicate that one really understands what the other is saying.