Becoming a Conflict Competent Leader: How You and Your Organization Can Manage Conflict Effectively, 2nd Edition

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The What and Why of Conflict Competent Leaders

Difficulties are meant to rouse, not discourage. The human spirit is to grow strong by conflict.

—William Ellery Channing

The basic nature of human beings is to avoid painful or unpleasant experiences whenever possible. How many different versions of “I’d rather go to the dentist than [fill in the blank]” have you heard in your life? For most of us, dealing with conflict ranks right up there with impromptu public speaking or firing an employee. If you’ve ever filled in the blank above with anything resembling “deal with conflict,” you’re in exceptionally good company.

So what might motivate you to strive toward conflict competence? First, we believe that conflict in the workplace is bound to occur, ...