Macquarie University

Negotiate and Resolve Conflict - GMBA833

Many workplaces today are marked by unclear lines of authority and dynamic spheres of influence. To be effective as a leader in such complex environments, managers must learn to navigate great complexity and create internal and external relationships that have mutual utility, that are marked by ownership and commitment and that help to create sustainable economic value. Amid complex ecosystems of: employees; partners; customers; distributors and suppliers there also exists a complex set of agreements - formal, informal and even tacit. Increasingly and especially in some cultures, agreements need to be adaptive to changing circumstances and thus relationship management is also a critical variable in negotiation. In sum, modern managers must learn to design and negotiate complex agreements and learn to be successful within diverse workplace cultures. Knowledge of, and personal competence in, negotiation and conflict resolution play a central role in both individual effectiveness and overall workplace productivity. More effective negotiation and conflict resolution can also help foster participative decision making norms that promote job satisfaction, employee engagement and lead to inclusive workplace cultures.