How To Resolve Workplace Conflict

By: Multi-Unit Franchisee | 6,138 Reads | 2 Shares

%3Cp%3EConflict+in+the+workplace+is+a+painful+reality+and+a+key+reason+for+poor+productivity+and+frustration.+Do+you+have+people+in+your+workplace+that+cause+problems+for+everyone+else%3F+Do+they+create+additional+work+for+others%3F+One+point+is+clear--conflict+does+not+magically+go+away+and+only+gets+worse+when+ignored.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3ECertain+types+of+workplace+conflict+are+readily+identified.+Other+forms+of+conflict+may+not+be+so+easily+detected.+Small%2C+irritating+events+such+as+negative+attitudes+occur+repeatedly+over+time+and+can+cause+people+to+strike+out+at+each+other.+In+many+cases%2C+conflict+occurs+at+the+senior+level+of+the+organization.+In+these+situations+some+kind+of+intervention+is+needed.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3EWhat+type+of+workplace+conflict+requires+intervention%3F+Anything+that%27s+disruptive%2C+impacts+productivity%2C+or+poses+a+threat+to+other+employees+needs+addressing.+The+degree+to+which+you+tolerate+a+situation+before+intervention+may+vary.+A+manager+may+not+feel+it+necessary+to+intervene+when+a+minor+exchange+of+words+occurs+between+employees--unless+such+an+incident+becomes+a+daily+occurrence+and+expands+beyond+the+employees+initially+involved.+However%2C+a+situation+where+one+employee+threatens+another+requires+immediate+action.+When+handling+conflict%2C+some+basic+guidelines+apply.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cul%3E%0D%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cstrong%3EUnderstand+the+situation.%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Few+situations+are+exactly+as+they+seem+or+as+presented+to+you+by+others.+Before+you+try+to+settle+the+conflict+ensure+you+have+investigated+both+sides+of+the+issue.%3C%2Fli%3E%0D%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cstrong%3EAcknowledge+the+problem.%3C%2Fstrong%3E+I+remember+an+exchange+between+two+board+members.+One+member+was+frustrated+with+the+direction+the+organization+was+taking.+He+told+the+other%2C+%22Just+don%27t+worry+about+it.+It+isn%27t+that+important.%22+Keep+in+mind+what+appears+to+be+a+small+issue+to+you+can+be+a+major+issue+with+another.+Acknowledging+the+frustration+and+concerns+is+an+important+step+in+resolving+the+conflict.%3C%2Fli%3E%0D%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cstrong%3EBe+patient+and+take+your+time.%3C%2Fstrong%3E+The+old+adage%2C+%22Haste+makes+waste%2C%22+has+more+truth+in+it+than+we+sometimes+realize.+Take+time+to+evaluate+all+information.+A+too-quick+decision+does+more+harm+than+good+when+it+turns+out+to+be+the+wrong+decision+and+further+alienates+the+individual+involved.%3C%2Fli%3E%0D%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cstrong%3EAvoid+using+coercion+and+intimidation.%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Emotional+outbursts+or+coercing+people+may+stop+the+problem+temporarily%2C+but+do+not+fool+yourself+into+thinking+it+is+a+long-term+solution.+Odds+are+the+problem+will+resurface.+At+that+point+not+only+will+you+have+the+initial+problem+to+deal+with%2C+but+also+the+angry+feelings+that+have+festered+below+the+surface+during+the+interim.%3C%2Fli%3E%0D%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cstrong%3EFocus+on+the+problem%2C+not+the+individual.%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Most+people+have+known+at+least+one+%22problematic+individual%22+during+their+work+experience.+Avoid+your+own+pre-conceived+attitudes+about+individuals.+Person+X+may+not+be+the+most+congenial+individual+on+your+staff.+This+does+not+mean+they+do+not+have+a+legitimate+problem+or+issue.+Focus+on+identifying+and+resolving+the+conflict.+If%2C+after+careful+and+thorough+analysis%2C+you+determine+the+individual+is+the+problem%2C+then+focus+on+the+individual+at+that+point.%3C%2Fli%3E%0D%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cstrong%3EEstablish+guidelines.%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Before+conducting+a+formal+meeting+between+individuals%2C+get+both+parties+to+agree+to+a+few+meeting+guidelines.+Ask+them+to+express+themselves+calmly+and+as+unemotionally+as+possible.+Have+them+agree+to+attempt+to+understand+each+other%27s+perspective.+Tell+them+if+they+violate+the+guidelines+the+meeting+will+come+to+an+end.%3C%2Fli%3E%0D%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cstrong%3EKeep+the+communication+open.%3C%2Fstrong%3E+The+ultimate+goal+in+conflict+resolution+is+for+both+parties+to+resolve+the+issue+between+themselves.+Allow+both+parties+to+express+their+viewpoint%2C+but+also+share+your+perspective.+Attempt+to+facilitate+the+meeting+and+help+them+pinpoint+the+real+issue+causing+conflict.%3C%2Fli%3E%0D%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cstrong%3EAct+decisively.%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Once+you+have+taken+time+to+gather+information%2C+talked+to+all+the+parties+involved%2C+and+reviewed+all+the+circumstances%2C+make+your+decision+and+act.+Don%27t+leave+the+issue+in+limbo.+Taking+too+long+to+make+a+decision+could+damage+your+credibility+and+their+perception+of+you.+They+may+view+you+as+either+too+weak%2C+too+uncaring%2C+or+both%2C+to+handle+the+problem.+Not+everyone+will+agree+with+your+decision%2C+but+at+least+they+will+know+where+you+stand.%3C%2Fli%3E%0D%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0D%0A%3Cp+style%3D%22border-top%3A+1px+solid+%23DDDDDD%3B+padding-top%3A+5px%3B%22%3E%26nbsp%3B%3Cem%3E%3Cstrong%3EGreg+Smith%27s%3C%2Fstrong%3E+cutting-edge+keynotes%2C+consulting%2C+and+training+programs+have+helped+businesses+reduce+turnover%2C+increase+sales%2C+hire+better+people%2C+and+deliver+better+customer+service.+As+president+of+Chart+Your+Course+International+he+has+implemented+professional+development+programs+for+hundreds+of+organizations+globally.+He+has+authored+nine+informative+books+including+%3Cstrong%3EFired+Up%21+Leading+Your+Organizational+to+Achieve+Exceptional+Results.%3C%2Fstrong%3E+For+more+information%2C+visit+ChartCourse.com+or+call+%28770%29+860-9464.%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E

Published: November 20th, 2018