Final answer:
Avoiding conflict increases frustration and can have negative consequences such as stress, poor team morale, and lost productivity. Directly addressing issues provides an opportunity for learning and mutual understanding.
Step-by-step explanation:
The strategy of avoiding conflict rarely works and may even make the situation worse because it often increases frustration rather than promoting understanding or facilitating communication. By not addressing issues directly, tensions may temporarily appear to alleviate, but in reality, emotions can continue to run high. This can lead to stress, diminished team morale, staff departures, and lost productivity, especially if not managed through processes like in-house dispute resolution. Additionally, conflict can be an opportunity for growth and learning, wherein a productive conversation can repair wounded feelings and lead to greater mutual understanding, but this cannot happen when conflict is avoided.