Managing conflict with coworkers doesn't have to be difficult. In this article are eight simple rules that should both help you deal with conflict and improve your relationships at work.

Rule 1: See conflict as an opportunity

Your perception of conflict has a direct impact on how it plays out in your life. If you embrace conflict and see it as an opportunity to better a situation or a relationship, then you'll take on the challenge of seeing the confrontation through, regardless of how difficult it may be, because you know that the ultimate benefit of working through an issue will be worth it in the long run for both you and your working relationship with the other party.

Over the years the term collaboration has lost some of its luster by becoming synonymously linked with words such as cooperation, synergy and teamwork. Although these words are each an important component of collaboration, they are not of equal value. Collaboration, as a term, is much more than simply a characteristic of an effective team; it a process unto itself.