LALITPUR: Conflict is an unavoidable phenomenon.

Sociologist Mary Parker Follet has said, “Social progress is like individual progress; we become spiritually more and more developed as our conflicts rise to higher levels.” An organ-isation has a separate society within it and is thus inseparable from conflict. Managers spend around one-fifth of their time handling conflicts within the organisation.

Traditionally, conflict was always viewed as harmful. However, the new school of thought encourages managers to see

conflict as an opportunity rather than something unpleasant, disturbing and irritating in the organisation. Conflict is

destructive only if it is not managed properly.

Conflict promotes innovation within the organisation. It is through conflict that new ideas emerge.

Every individual has different style of thinking; conflict provides the platform to express their feelings against the ongoing system.

An organisation that tries to avoid conflict avoids change. However, conflicts should be carefully analysed. While destructive conflict is best avoided, managers should solve the constructive conflict through group discussions. — Contributed by Dwaipayan Regmi