Developing Your Conflict Competence: A Hands-On Guide for Leaders, Managers, Facilitators, and Teams

Chapter 1. Introduction

When we talk with leaders, team members, and individual contributors, we find universal agreement that conflict is an inevitable part of organizational life. Survey after survey supports the notion that conflict is all around us. In fact, a recent study by the Center for Creative Leadership found that 85 percent of leaders experience conflict on a regular or continual basis (Center for Creative Leadership, 2009). So the question isn't one of whether or not you'll experience conflict or how to reduce or avoid it. Instead, the question is what will you get out of conflict when it does occur. Depending on how you respond, that something can be good or bad, constructive or destructive, invigorating or debilitating.

During nearly ...