What does the traditional view of conflict assert?

The traditional view of conflict asserts that all conflict is harmful. This perspective focuses on the idea that conflict leads to negative outcomes such as decreased productivity, increased tension, and damaged relationships within a team or organization. It operates under the assumption that harmony is preferable and that conflict disrupts the functioning of groups. Consequently, the traditional view emphasizes conflict avoidance or resolution as a crucial aspect of management to maintain an effective and efficient workplace.

In contrast, other perspectives regarding conflict highlight its potential benefits, such as stimulating creativity or enhancing performance, which are not aligned with the traditional view. Similarly, the notions that conflict can enhance group performance or that it is inevitable in groups derive from a more modern and holistic understanding of organizational dynamics, differing from the traditional stance that views conflict solely through a negative lens.