Leadership involves a wide variety of roles that exerts weight influence on society. The most subtle dimension of leadership concerns values. Any person who influences others whether the impact is negative or positive can be termed as a leader. Leadership can be seen as not only morally based but lifting morality to a higher level. (Baron R. & Kalsher M, 2005, p.33& 34).
The field of leadership is interrelated with conflict resolution. Conflict resolution is the process of managing a dispute or resolving it whereby the interests of both parties are addressed so that they are all satisfied with the outcome. Leaders need to get the people involved in a conflict invested in the outcome so that they can accept the resolution. This then ensures that not only the current conflict is resolved but further conflict is avoided by dealing with the underlying cause. The leader has to therefore have the conflicting groups working together to come up with various alternatives instead of having someone else prescribe a solution for them. Through working together, the groups can compromise and develop consensus in order to seek a workable resolution. It also ensures a higher chance of getting into the underlying cause of the conflict and hence dealing with it in a more effective manner. Leaders however may sometimes need to impose a resolution if the parties involved take positions that do not allow little negotiation towards a resolution. This then falls in the line of the leader exercising his authority. (Baron R. & Kalsher M, 2005, p.34).
The leader’s role in conflict management lies in trying to identify the root cause of the conflict since it may be dealing with feelings that the parties have to be allowed to disagree with the leader and with each other so that they can have the freedom to communicate their thoughts and ideas thus lessen the chance of resentment due to unexpressed feelings. it is the duty of the leader to mold this behavior, guiding on how to express disagreement and making clear what types of disagreement would not be accepted in this team. He should also explain who should have the responsibility of making the final decision. (Baron R. & Kalsher M, 2005, P.32).
Conflicts almost seem like a fact of life since there are many situations where different people have different needs and goals hence come into conflict. These quite often result in intense personal animosity. Conflicts can however lead to personal and professional growth if an effective conflict resolution is reached. Successful conflict resolutions can increase understanding of group cohesion and improve on self-knowledge since individuals can examine their goals in detail, understanding the most important things to them and sharpen their focus. It is necessary for leaders to have conflict resolution skills as well as communicating skills since conflicts, ignored may worsen with time. Also, effective conflict resolution ensures people’s personal growth as well as harmonious living with one another hence upholding values that hold a society together. (Baron R. & Kalsher M, 2005, P.33).
Reference
Baron R & Kalsher M (2005) Psychology: from Science to Practice; Prentice Hall.