Psychologists at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital have said that the best and most efficient workplaces are not the ones without conflicts but rather those who handle conflicts constructively.

They defined conflict as a process in which one party perceives its interest as being opposed or negatively affected by another party.

This was said during the weekly Continuous Professional Development (CPD) session held under the topic: “Workplace Relationship Dynamics.”

The hour-long presentation delivered at the Riley Mother and Baby Hospital (RMBH) Conference Room was facilitated by Ms. Faith Njonjo and Mrs. Winfred Njonjo from the Psychological Counselling Department.

They said conflicts at workplace, many a times, are as a result of; personality clashes, office romance, communication breakdown, adherence to rules and regulations, cultural differences and temperament.

“By understanding more deeply who you are, you are armed with knowledge that has the potential to positively impact your relationships and your life,” they said.

They categorized personalities as follows; sanguine- pleasure seeking and sociable, choleric- ambitious and leader like, melancholic-Introverted and thoughtful and phlegmatic-relaxed and quiet.

The CPD was told that self awareness means becoming aware of yourself; your limitations emotionally and physically and your learning challenges or the understanding that one exists as an individual separate from other people with unique thoughts.

Perception, on the other hand, is a way of regarding, understanding, or interpreting something: a mental impression.

The psychologists said that we should take cognizance of the fact that we constantly interact with the world, on a daily basis, through our five senses: sight, hearing, tasting, touching, and smelling.