Lebaran and conflict management

Lebaran and conflict management

Idul Fitri has just past. The atmosphere in Jakarta and other
major cities is still hushed after millions of its inhabitants
left for the villages. The holiday spirit is still palpable in
most offices with many of the employees still on leave, and those
present still spending much of their time socializing and asking
each other for forgiveness for past wrongdoings, as is the
tradition at this time of year.

The workplace, where most of us spend thousands of hours a
year interacting with other people, is indeed an ideal place for
asking and granting each other forgiveness. Wherever people
interact, conflicts are prone to arise since differences of view
are an inherent part of human nature. For this reason conflict
management is important in social life. It is in this context
that we must view this tradition as an asset that should be
preserved and extended.

Actually, conflict itself is not necessarily always negative
in nature. When properly managed -- that is to say, when rules
are present and also upheld -- it could even make life more
dynamic. Sports is one example. Naturally we would wish that the
same spirit of sportsmanship that exists in sports prevails in
every other aspect of our lives. To achieve that, however, we
must first agree on the game that is to be played, what the rules
are, who will be the referee and when the final whistle is to be
blown.

The general election will be held this year and naturally we
all want it to proceed smoothly and to yield good results. To
achieve this we must be able to properly manage the conflicts
that are bound to arise. The momentum which Idul Fitri provides,
in particular its associated tradition of granting each other
forgiveness, should be a major asset for us to realize this
common ideal.

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta