Discuss the methods of increasing conflict. When should a manager increase conflict? What cautions should a manager observe when increasing conflict?

Increasing Conflict

Conflict management includes increasing conflict when it is dysfunctionally low. The goal of increasing conflict is to get the functional qualities of conflict described earlier, such as more information for decisions and creative solutions to problems. Increasing conflict must be done skillfully and cautiously so conflict levels do not become dysfunctionally high. The manager’s role is to structure situations as described in this section and not express opinions or take positions on issues. This role is especially important, because it can encourage subordinates to express their views.

Groups with members of different social backgrounds, education, expertise, organization positions, and opinions have high conflict potential. By deliberately forming heterogeneous groups to find creative solutions to problems, a manager tries to use the functional qualities of conflict. Organizations with a diverse workforce have an especially rich resource for forming groups with high conflict potential.

A manager of a decision-making group can ask one group member to play the devil’s advocate role. This person deliberately criticizes a position that has emerged as dominant within the group. Alternatively, the manager can ask each person in the group to critique the alternatives under consideration. Each approach recognizes the information-generating function of conflict.

Dialectical inquiry is a structured debate of opposing views about solutions to a decision problem. Two people or groups prepare arguments and debate the question in the presence of the person who makes the final decision. One argument presents the prevailing opinion about a decision. The other argument presents a believable and plausible alternative. The decision maker forms a final decision by drawing upon information presented by both sides.

Managers can also try to develop an organizational culture with a set of values and norms that support openness about debate and opinions. They must devote time to building this type of culture. Searching for quick solutions to problems can lead to pressure to reduce differences and emphasize similarities.