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