Practical negotiating skills

For all leaders, the ability to recognise the potential for conflict and the skills to resolve it are vital to the smooth running and success of the organisation.

Conflict is an unavoidable part of the job for clinicians and managers. Individuals are often promoted to leadership positions in recognition of their clinical or technical skills, rather than their management or leadership expertise or their ability to handle conflict.

Although some leaders seek to avoid conflict at all costs, well-managed conflict can bring positive results, such as identifying problems that need to be addressed; inspiring creative thinking; or relieving otherwise distracting tensions and stress.