Avoidance

Definition

Avoidance is a conflict management strategy that involves steering clear of confrontation and not addressing the issues causing the conflict. This approach may be used as a temporary solution to maintain peace or when parties believe that engaging in conflict will lead to negative outcomes. However, avoidance can also result in unresolved issues festering and potentially escalating over time, impacting relationships and organizational dynamics.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Avoidance can be beneficial when the conflict is trivial or when parties need time to cool off before discussing sensitive issues.
2. Long-term avoidance may lead to resentment among parties, as unresolved issues continue to linger without resolution.
3. In organizational settings, avoidance can create a culture of silence where team members are reluctant to voice concerns or engage in constructive dialogue.
4. Avoidance is often seen as a passive approach, which may not address the root causes of conflict, potentially leading to larger issues down the line.
5. This strategy can be influenced by individual personality traits, such as high levels of anxiety or low assertiveness, which may lead someone to avoid conflict rather than confront it.

Review Questions

• How does avoidance serve as a temporary solution in managing conflicts, and what are its potential drawbacks?
  • Avoidance can serve as a temporary solution by allowing parties to bypass immediate confrontation and reduce tension in the short term. However, its drawbacks include the risk of unresolved issues that may escalate later on, leading to greater conflict or resentment among the parties involved. While it may seem beneficial initially, long-term avoidance often creates deeper problems that hinder effective communication and collaboration.
• Compare and contrast avoidance with accommodation as strategies for managing conflict in organizations.
  • Avoidance and accommodation are both conflict management strategies, but they differ in their approaches. Avoidance involves ignoring or steering clear of conflict altogether, which can leave issues unresolved. In contrast, accommodation involves one party yielding to the other’s needs or desires, prioritizing harmony over personal interests. While avoidance may provide temporary relief from tension, accommodation actively addresses the needs of others but can also lead to feelings of being overlooked if one party consistently sacrifices their own interests.
• Evaluate the long-term impacts of using avoidance as a strategy for conflict resolution within organizations and suggest alternative approaches.
  • The long-term impacts of using avoidance can include a toxic work environment where communication breaks down and unresolved issues cause friction among team members. This strategy may result in decreased morale and productivity as employees feel unable to voice concerns or engage in meaningful dialogue. Alternative approaches like collaboration or compromise can foster healthier relationships by encouraging open communication and addressing underlying issues constructively. By embracing these alternatives, organizations can enhance team cohesion and develop more effective conflict resolution practices.

Related terms

accommodation: A conflict resolution strategy where one party concedes to the other’s demands or needs, often prioritizing harmony over their own interests.

collaboration: A cooperative approach in conflict resolution where parties work together to find a mutually beneficial solution that addresses the concerns of all involved.

compromise: A strategy that involves each party giving up something to reach an agreement, balancing their interests to find a middle ground.