19 Resolving Conflict

How do you feel about conflict It s interesting, but a lot of people think that conflict is a bad thing. Something to be avoided or deescalated as quickly as possible. But conflict is actually a natural byproduct of both group development and diversity. Much of conflict is healthy, and contributes to the growth of the individual and the organization. As a manager, you ll find that dealing with conflict is a normal part of your responsibilities. One model that s very helpful to know, is Tuckman s five stages of group development. Tuckman did research on groups, and his findings have stood the test of time. This model is still taught in today s business schools. The first stage is called forming. This is the time when the members are introduced to the group, and they get acquainted. The second stage is called storming, because it s when conflict arises. The group is sorting out their differences as they try to organize their goals and ideas. The third stage is called norming, and this is when group cohesion