Management Communication, 7th Edition

Chapter 11 Managing Conflict

DOI: 10.4324/9781003331490-41

The workplace of the twenty-first century is filled with tension and strife. In the pre-pandemic years of this century’s second decade, incivility rose noticeably in the American workplace. Nearly half of those surveyed on this subject 20 years ago reported that they were treated rudely at least once a month, a figure that rose to 55 percent in 2011 and 62 percent in 2016.¹ Georgetown University management professor Christine Porath argues that civility in the workplace matters. Among other things, she says, “it helps dampen potential tensions and furthers information sharing and team building.”²

Despite the obvious advantages of getting along in the workplace, incivility is rampant ...