Absolutely! Conflict can occur due to difference of opinion,
difference in priorities, difference in assessment and difference in approach.
As long as you are able to resolve the conflict and are willingness to listen
to other ideas then conflict can result in tremendous success for an organization.
If we all had the same thoughts, worked the same way, had
same priorities than there would not be any innovation. Ford stated that you
can have any color of car as long as it’s black. If there was no conflicting assessment
by GM then we all would be driving a black car from 60s today.
Conflict not only exists between two individuals or ideas,
but it also exists within. Have you ever wanted to stay in bed on a cold
freezing weekday? I have, but then I have
been able to get out of bed by considering the achievements I can make in the
office OR I have to feed the dog OR take the kids to school and so on. If we
have the ability to resolve the conflicts within then why do we have so much trouble
resolving external conflicts?
I would argue that TRUST is not an issue when we are considering
two conflicting ideas within, but it is for external conflicts. It is the level
of trust in others abilities that keeps us from resolving an external conflict.
If this is true then how do we resolve external conflicts as trust is earned
not given?
One possible solution to turn conflicts into a positive
source of momentum is clear definition of accountabilities within the
organization. It will force everyone to present their conflicting ideas as
suggestions to the accountable and then leave it up to the individual to
determine the course of action based on his assessment of organisational priorities.
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