Organizations Contribute to Conflict Too!

Several conditions make a workplace fertile ground for conflict:

1. If an organization has a rigid hierarchical structure, with an authoritarian leadership culture, expect incessant arguments and a robust rumor mill. In this type of environment, open communications are discouraged.
2. Is there a poorly instituted reward/promotional system, where unfair favoritism occurs?
3. When managers are forced to compete for limited resources, their agendas can prevent them from getting along with others. They become more concerned with their personal or departmental gains and forget about the organization’s overall well-being.
4. Change itself can destabilize relations because people struggle when they’re forced out of their comfort zones. Companies involved in mergers and/or acquisitions, for example, experience more conflict. Rapidly changing environments create a ripe atmosphere for stress, anxiety and conflict.

What do you think about these possible sources that create more conflict instead of helping people do their work in the best possible environment? I’d love to hear your comments.