As we all know, Rotary Clubs are made up of different individuals with different backgrounds, experience and beliefs, which can lead to differences of opinion.

Whilst as a leading volunteer organisation we should be able to avoid conflict through constructive discussion and compromise there are times when serious conflict may arise. 

This may be due to a range of issues from: 

• poor communication; 
  
• disagreement on objectives and results pursued; 
  
• lack of agreement on direction; 
  
• loss of focus; 
  
• disagreement on methods used/approach; 
  
• differences over timing and pace; 
  
• resistance to change; 
  
• fear of losing influence/power; 
  
• refusal to cooperate;
  
• personality clashes; 
  
• cultural differences;
  
• poor performance; 
  
• poor monitoring and reporting to inefficiency.
  

Gordon Lippett (Organisational Renewal, 1982) summarised the principal methods of interpersonal and conflict resolution in the following terms:

Withdrawal: Retreating from an actual or potential conflict situation. Withdrawal avoids the issue, but the solution may be only provisional; it may be used as a strategy to buy time or allow the parties to cool off.

Smoothing: Emphasising areas of agreement and de-emphasising areas of difference permits the process or project to continue, at least in the areas of agreement, but it may not address the real issue.

Compromising: This searches for solutions that bring some degree of satisfaction to the conflicting parties. Compromising helps avoid conflicts, but tends to yield less than optimum results.

Forcing: This involves exerting one viewpoint at the potential expense of another. Forcing often creates competition and win-lose situations. It uses authority and power, but can cause considerable resentment; however, it may be necessary in extreme cases where agreement cannot be reached amicably.

Problem Solving: Addressing a disagreement directly and in problem-solving mode, the affected parties work through the disagreement. Problem solving is generally regarded as most effective, owing to its approach involving objective examination of options that are available and the search for an agreement on the best alternative.

As Rotarians it is incumbent on us to respect each other, be prepared to listen and, if disagreement persists, decide whether it is critically important to allow that disagreement to continue if it will have negative implications amongst colleagues in the club.