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What is the most intense stage of conflict?

Stalemate Stalemate is the most intense stage and arises out of a conflict escalating.

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At home or in the office, conflict is inevitable, even among a group of individuals who typically get along and function as a team. According to many conflict management books, conflict isn't necessarily a bad thing and can strengthen work relationships if handled well. As a small-business owner, it is important to understand the eight stages of conflict so you can help employees resolve issues in a manner that is best for the business and its clients.

No Conflict

At times it seems that everyone is communicating openly, getting along and working harmoniously. The presence of no conflict is ideal in an organization but not likely to last. With changing work environments filled with a diverse group of employees, it is a given that conflict will arise at some point as employees work to complete tasks and projects.

Latent Conflict

People have different backgrounds, values, personalities and needs, which can create situations where others don't agree with their thoughts or actions. This in itself is not a problem unless the organization is rigid and uncomfortable with divergent views. Employees may be afraid to speak up and share their ideas for fear of ridicule or rejection. Latent conflict can arise in response to systemic inequities, as explained by Beyond Intractability.

Emergence of Differences

At the emergence stage, conflict starts to set in as the parties involved recognize that they have different ideas and opinions on a given topic. The differences cause discord and tension. There is an unwillingness to listen and consider other points of view. Employees may find it increasingly difficult to maintain the status quo when they see a need for change.

Continued Escalation

If the parties involved in a conflict cannot come to a resolution, the conflict may escalate. When a conflict escalates, it may draw more people into the situation, heightening any already existing tension. The escalation stage can be described as intense and uncomfortable. During this stage people pick sides and view their opponents as the enemy. Productivity diminishes when workers become embroiled in conflict, according to Inc.

Continued Stalemate

Stalemate is the most intense stage and arises out of a conflict escalating. During the stalemate stage, the conflict has spiraled out of control to a point where neither side is in a position to win over their opponents. By this point, participants are not willing to back down from their stances, and each side insists that its beliefs are ultimately right. Even in a situation where a member of one side feels that there may be merit in the other side's stance, there is an unwillingness to admit it because of a need to protect interests and save face.

De-Escalation of Tension

Even the most intense conflicts calm down at some point, as one or more of the persons involved in the conflict realize they aren't likely to reach a conclusion if they continue with their unwillingness to look at the conflict from all sides. During this stage, parties begin to negotiate and consider coming up with a solution that everyone can live with at least in the short term.

Settlement or Resolution

After hearing from all parties involved in the conflict, participants are sometimes able to come up with a resolution for the problem they're facing. As a business owner, you may have to work with the involved parties to settle the conflict amicably by shifting the focus to what is really important.

Peace Building and Reconciliation

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Is it normal to argue in a relationship Everyday?

It's not normal to fight daily over every little thing. This often happens when there's an underlying problem that is going unaddressed. Take a step back and sit down with your partner. Try to have a calm, respectful conversation about what's really going on here. If that doesn't work, see a couple's counselor.

If you’re trying to figure out whether your relationship has a healthy, normal amount of fighting, you aren’t alone. It can hurt to feel like you’re locked in combat with the person you care about more than anyone else in the world, and the feelings associated with a fight can leave you wondering whether your relationship is working or not. We’ve got good news for you—fighting is healthy, productive, and totally normal. If you want to learn more about why this is the case, as well as pick up a few tips and tricks for handling arguments more productively, we’ve got you covered. This article is based on an interview with our clinical psychologist and published author, Asa Don Brown. Check out the full interview here.

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