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poor or limited communication
: assumptions go unchallenged, misunderstandings go 
unclarified, and feelings are left undealt with. 
(b) There 
is 
poor co-ordination
: working relationships are not managed or structured, and so are 
subject to interpersonal problems or unchecked competition. 
(c) There 
are 
status barriers
: problems in the relationship are glossed over by the superior asserting 
authority ('do it because I said so'), or hidden by the subordinate feeling powerless or threatened 
('it's more than my job's worth to say anything'). 
(d) 
Work demands put pressure on individuals and teams: competition may escalate, feelings may 
become less manageable under stress, and there may be little time allowed for interpersonal 
problem-solving. 
QUESTION 
Conflict
 
Suggest how conflict may be (a) positive or constructive and (b) negative or destructive. 
ANSWER 
Conflict is constructive, when its effect is to: 
(a) Introduce 
different 
solutions 
to problems 
(b) 
Define power relationships 
more clearly 
(c) Encourage 
creativity
, the testing of ideas 
(d) 
Focus attention 
on individual contributions 
(e) 
Bring emotions 
out into the open 
(f) 
Release of hostile feelings 
that have been, or may be, repressed otherwise 
BPP Tutor Toolkit Copy

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CHAPTER 18
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PERSONAL EFFECTIVENESS AND COMMUNICATION 
 
451 
Conflict is destructive when its effect is to: 
(a) 
Distract attention from the task 
(b) 
Polarise views and 'dislocate' the group 
(c) 
Subvert objectives in favour of secondary goals 
(d) 
Encourage defensive or 'spoiling' behaviour 
(e) 
Force the group to disintegrate 
(f) 
Stimulate emotional, win-lose conflicts, ie hostility 
 
5.2 Managing your own interpersonal conflicts
Conflicts and sources of dissatisfaction can be managed informally in several ways.
(a)