Best Conflict And Best Communication Skills

Abstract

In the workforce today, management as well as associates have to deal with a wide range of conflict and communication skills. All in which are useful when used efficiently and by the right people. Team C has found that the best communication skill is the efficient use of interpersonal communication skills while compromise is the best conflict management skill. When used properly they work hand in hand and within many diverse fields of today's workforce. With the continuing efforts to educate the workforce of these two tools, we can see a promising future for other generations to lead from the examples in which are set.

Best Conflict and Best Communication Skills

Interpersonal communication skills can be found in any industry, any business and anywhere in the world. Interpersonal communication skills defined are the tools we use to let others know what we think, feel, need and want (OED 2006). Interpersonal communication skills are seen in everything we do from work to social settings. Effective communication skills are seen when communicating to someone a need or want and achieving the results in which were being presented to the receiver. Sometimes communication is not clear and is misunderstood when traveling from one person to the next.

Being able to see from others' points of view, help in strengthening interpersonal communication skills. If all parties strive to understand the wants, needs, and dreams of others around them communication is improved (Boehm, 2006). Within effective communication you have a relationship between people. There is always a relationship no matter if it is a bad one or a great one. Clarifications of the meanings between two relationships make for healthier communication, and hence a healthier relationship between two people can be achieved.

While using interpersonal communication skills you have a range of ways to communicate to another person. There are many ways to communicate without even speaking. Facial expressions and body language show communication without verbally doing so. Anyone can see if someone is disgruntled or upset by the way the conduct themselves in body language and facial expressions. Sometimes they can be mixed signals and communication has barriers. Traveling to some countries the signals we use in America could be signaled as something totally opposite in their country. The hand signal of waving someone to come towards you is actually a gesture that is used backwards in Mexico. Instead of moving the hands towards your body as a gesture to come closer, Mexican's use the hand gesture away from their body to come closer.

Other examples of body language include slouching in a meeting for example, while viewed by some has maybe being tired or bored; it could also be viewed by others has osteoporosis. It is hard to understand some body language, and it is always important not always to make quick judgments. Keep the communication floodgates open is a rule of thumb. It is not easy to decipher some language, whether it is communication verbally or through body language.

Active listening is a way of listening and responding to another person that improves mutual understanding. Active listening has a best communication skill, intentionally focuses on who you are listening to, whether in a group or one-on-one, in order to understand what he or she is saying. As the listener, you should then be able to repeat back in your own words what they have said to their satisfaction. This does not mean you agree with, but rather understand, what they are saying. Three things one needs to follow to be considered an active listener are: Be other-directed, be aware, and be involved. To better understand these three areas here go: Be other-directed; focus on the person communicating follow and understand the speaker as if you were walking in their shoes listen with your ears but also with your eyes and other senses (Landsberger 1996). Be aware: non-verbally acknowledge points in the speech. Let the argument or presentation run its course doesn't agree or disagree, but encourage the train of thought (Landsberger 1996). Be involved: Actively respond to questions and directions, use your body position (e.g. lean forward) and pay attention to encourage the speaker and signal your interest (Landsberger 1996). Often when people talk to each other, they don't listen attentively. They are often distracted, half listening, half thinking about something else. When people are engaged in a conflict, they are often busy formulating a response to what is being said. They assume that they have heard what their opponent is saying many times before, so rather than paying attention; they focus on how they can respond to win the argument. Active listening is a structured form of listening and responding that focuses the attention on the speaker. If the listener did not understand what was said, the speaker can explain in more details to clarify what was said. Active listening has several benefits. First, it forces people to listen attentively to others. Second, it avoids misunderstandings, as people have to confirm that they do really understand what another person has said. Third, it tends to open people up, to get them to say more. However, if they feel that their opponent is really attuned to their concerns and wants to listen, they are likely to explain in detail what they feel and why. If both parties in a conflict did this, the chance of being able to develop a solution to their mutual problem becomes much greater.

Conflict is a disagreement resulting from individuals or groups that differ in attitudes, beliefs, values or needs. There are several different conflict management strategies but we believe that comprise is one of the best as both sides make concessions to come to a decision. The textbook states compromise is "working toward partial satisfaction of everyone's concerns; seeking "acceptable" rather than "optimal" solutions so that no one totally wins or loses (Organizational Behavior 2005). The definition of compromise is the settlement of differences in which each side makes concessions. This is a true collaboration of parties. When compromise occurs nobody will get everything they want but they have voiced their ideas and have been heard. A decision is reached that is acceptable to both parties.

Negotiation is a big part of compromise as this is the process of making join decisions when the parties involved have different preferences. Typically parties will go back and forth negotiating until a compromise is reached. For example, if you were implementing a new system and had to decide upon