Stream: M11
Name: Ockouri Barnes
Student ID#: 620156468
The Impact of Understanding Conflict in Organizational Behavior on my Personal
Growth.
Organizational behavior and culture is formed in numerous ways. However, one concept
seems to be a recurring theme, that being conflict. Conflict is an element that continues to
influence organizational dynamics. Undoubtedly, it shapes interpersonal relationships between
employers, employees and by further extension the organization as a whole. Upon reflection of
the topic, I realized the profound impact that understanding conflict had on my development as
an individual.
To begin with, understanding conflict helped me to become more self-aware. There exist
many differences between people, and as such, I learned to approach situations that would
normally stir conflict differently. For example, instead of shouting at someone in the presence of
others, I started taking the more indirect approach of speaking to them one on one. Subsequently,
this enhanced level of self-awareness enabled me to recognize specific traits in myself and others
that would create or further ensue conflict and diffuse those situations accordingly.
Secondly, as a result of applying my knowledge about conflict, my communication skills
drastically improved. Effective conflict resolution is synonymous with effective communication.
Learning how communication impacts conflict, it forced me to be intentional about what I say
and how I say it. Additionally, I started monitoring my body language during certain situations
as not aggravate the other party which further ensues conflict. Furthermore, being aware of the
nuances in personality or culture that may arise I am better equipped in expressing myself.
Whether that be written, oral or non-verbal communication, sharpening this soft skill is
imperative to fostering better relationships which ultimately enhanced the quality of my
interactions.
Despite this, I realized my emotional intelligence could improve somewhat. Nevertheless,
while I became a better communicator, I now had to learn the skill of control. Prior to the course,
I was blunt and straightforward as I believed honesty was the best policy. However, I ignored the
concept of time, place and how my words could have implications on persons. On the other
hand, I am a Management Studies major which requires social skills and high levels of emotional
intelligence. Time and time again I have ben ignorant to the ramifications the lack of emotional
intelligence can have on my work and personal relationships. Therefore, now acquiring this
foundation from course I am now exposed to the different dimensions of its implications. Due to
this, the course has inspired me to become conscious and mature in how I think and act
especially when it involve others. This in turn taught me how to regulate my emotions which is
needed in professional settings as well as in my personal life, for example in displaying empathy.
Interestingly enough conflict can also lead to effective team collaboration. It should be
noted this only occurs in constructive conflict. This is where conflict is geared towards to
innovation and formulation of ideas to assist an organization achieve its goals. Naturally, this
becomes important because people are diverse with varying skillsets and talents, as such an
organization needs those viewpoints to converge. Ultimately, engaging in this reflective process
helped me to appreciate the value of diversity and different perspectives from my own. The ideal
is to operate in an environment of collaboration, leveraging the strength of every member while
transforming conflict into opportunities.
Lastly, I learned that organizations are dynamic by nature. This means things are liable to
change at any given moment. Changes could include that of management, team members or the
environment itself in which persons are accustomed to operate. As expected these changes may
act as the stimuli of conflict in an organization. While the course is ongoing, it has empowered
me to navigate transitions with an open mind as embracing change is an integral step for personal
growth. Overtime, I developed the ability to adapt and adjust to changes around me while being
able to function effectively. The rich and informative knowledge bestowed to me in
organizational behavior taught me resilience which in turn catapulted my personal and
professional growth to new heights.
All in all, the course and furthermore, the topic of conflict has unearthed something in
me. It served as the catalyst for introspection which lead to reflection thus creating the pathway
for renewed convictions. Similarly, the culmination of real life experiences and my own
shortcomings as an individual made engaging with the course material more impactful. To
expound on this, I thought about the manager I wanted to be. Conflict can be detrimental to any
organization therefore management should do everything in their power to resolve it.
Unfortunately, many managers neglect this issue causing the unresolved conflict to develop into
bigger problems. In some cases this may be reduced productivity among employees, reduced
team synergy and cohesion among other things. Realizing this, I have made a promise to myself
that when I ascend to those ranks I will not ignore conflict but strive to create a harmonious work
environment for my subordinates.
To conclude, reflecting on the intricate concept of conflict has led me to appreciate its
impact on my personal and professional growth has been an eye opening experience. Coupled
with that, I was remodeled into a more self-aware, adapting, and emotionally intelligent
individual. Moreover, adding depth to my pre-existing knowledge on the topic my
communication skills have also been revamped thus molding me for the world of work.
Essentially, managing conflict constructively in business and personal life will inevitably lead to
success and one’s evolution. Throughout the progression of the course, I became cognizant of the
fact that the knowledge acquired was not only theoretical but practical and should be applied
going forward. For my future endeavors I intend to become an esteemed manager. Therefore, it
is imperative that I utilize this knowledge to guide my approach towards conflict and how I
interact with persons around me.
