Job Success

Identifying conflict

There are many reasons behind workplace conflict.

• Different communication styles. People communicate in different ways. For example, a person with an indirect communication style may have trouble successfully communicating with someone with a direct communication style.
• Change. People often respond negatively to change, especially if they feel threatened or unprepared to successfully deal with it. This can sometimes be a source of conflict.
• Prejudice. Today's workplace is filled with people of different ethnicities, religions, and sexual orientations. Some people reject rather than embrace such differences.
• Mismatched goals, expectations, or values. This type of conflict is often the most difficult to resolve.