Abstract

Aims: Effective leadership is a requirement in every research institute in order to create and sustain an optimized level of conflict. The aim of the present research was to study the relationship between conflict level and leadership style in the employees of a military medical research center. Methods: This study was a cross sectional study. Data was gathered by three questionnaires (demographic, fielder's least preference co-worker (LPC) and Rahim conflict inventory-I questionnaire) from 42 managers and faculties of a military medical research center in 2015. Data was analyzed with Independent T-Test, Spearman Coefficient and linear regression using SPSS version 18. Results: No significant difference was seen between conflict level and also leadership style with demographic variables including sex, age, and the duration of working years (P Value> 0.05). Linear regression showed that leadership score had a negative and significant difference with intrapersonal conflict level (r= 0.377 and P Value< 0.01) and also with group conflict level (r= 0.459 and P Value< 0.01). A Negative but not significant relationship was also observed between leadership score and intragroup conflict level (r= 0.377) (P Value> 0.05). Conclusion: Empowering managers for improvement in relation-oriented leadership styles has an effect on decreasing organizational conflict levels. In order to optimize conflict levels, planning to decrease Intrapersonal conflict levels and increase intergroup conflict levels is recommended.