5 Tips To Manage Workplace Conflict
As many workplaces transition back to on-site/office operations and new policies or office rules come into effect, it is inevitable that there be some level of conflict.
When it comes to workplace safety, how you manage conflict could be the difference between a worker going home safely and a severe injury.
Workplace conflicts can arise from small or big issues such as a disagreement between two colleagues on a procedure, a misunderstanding or lack of understanding between senior leaders and the workers, or when emotions run high due to external stressors affecting a workers mental wellbeing.
Resolving disputes before they escalate is key to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace, and the first step in finding a solution is to focus on the issue, not the person.
The Benefits of Solving Workplace Conflicts
Solving conflicts in the workplace can help build healthy relationships between those involved as it helps develop an understanding between workers.
Ensuring a fair process where everyone has a voice and their opinions are validated helps to develop trust and creative discussions, inspiring workers to contribute more and come up with creative solutions.
Viewing conflicts as growth opportunities rather than just a disagreement can foster a learning environment in the workplace, while also ensuring that the business develops and grows.
Unresolved Conflict
When conflicts in the workplace go unresolved, it can lead to significant impacts to workplace safety, proficiency, or even worker retention due to a “toxic” work environment, especially when management or senior team members are involved.
Often, where there is a conflict that goes unresolved, it can lead to another problem later on. As these add up, it can cause those involved to extend their conflict beyond the immediate context and affect other aspects of the workplace. This can cause the conflict to spiral out of control and make it more difficult to resolve.
5 Conflict Management Tips to Remember
1. Healthy Conflict?
In order to have a healthy conflict and successful resolution, everyone involved must have “good faith” or sincerity and honesty. People must be willing to consider different perspectives and remove emotions from the conflict in order to move forward.
If emotions are running high, it may be good to postpone the discussion until after people have had time to “cool off”.
2. Communication
While it may be difficult for some, communicating the objective truth of the situation, without emotional assumptions or biases, is key to maintaining a healthy discussion. Identifying and sharing facts related to the conflict helps building understanding and trust between those involved and validates both sides of the discussion.
3. Differences in Experiences
Understand that not all workers have the same experiences. These differences, both positive and negative, can help understand the source of the conflict and better prepare to address each persons concerns.
4. Collaborate
Discuss the situation with those involved and work together to develop a plan to resolve the issue. Ask for their recommendation and ask them to elaborate or clarify on their position to give you a better understanding of how to address it.
Developing a collaborative discussion on how to resolve the conflict engages those involved to cooperate. This leads to a healthy conflict by finding a solution that is beneficial to everyone.
5. Avoid Getting Defensive
It is difficult to avoid, especially early in the conflict where things may seem more personal, but ensuring you do not get defensive can prevent you from acting on impulse or emotion, which can undermine the steps you have taken to resolve a conflict.
Helpful Extras
By ensuring that focus is kept on the facts and not the person, and by keeping our emotions in check, we can work to make workplace conflict a positive event, growing the business and strengthening teams.