Sophie’s Top tips for resolving workplace disputes
Almost every workplace at some point faces conflict. It is a matter of life when putting different personalities in a shared space that conflict can arise. Communication is often at the root of conflict, hiding from the problem often makes it worse. Difficult conversations, whilst uncomfortable can help work towards a resolution.
These are our top tips for resolving workplace conflict:
- Be calm: never enter a workplace conflict in the heat of the moment. Take a second, make a drink and think clearly and calmly before doing anything.
- Get ready to talk about it face to face, no emails, no text messages or even phone calls as many things can be interpreted differently over the phone conversation, you need an actual face to face live conversation even if it’s on Zoom.
- Get on the same side of the table, figuratively of course. Find a common issue that binds those in disagreement. Whether it is the common goal of success of a project or a shared passion for the business, common ground can be very valuable in a disagreement.
- Give them a positive identity. People will either live up to your expectations or down to them. If you give them positive identity, they will want to live up to it.
- Focus on facts. Perspective and interpretation can often be at the root of a conflict or dispute, often you will find it is how things have been communicated that have caused communication or dispute.
- Rather than focussing on someone’s behaviour, give it some context- how behaviour is affecting another team member or the Company, rather than just criticising behaviour itself.
- The key to conflict management is not talking, it is listening. Often people just want to be heard and understood.
Bonus Tip:
The purpose of conflict resolution is to resolve the situation, not just cover over the cracks. Once a conflict has been resolved, those involved need to let it go. Stewing on a situation or remaining angry can only allow the conflict to flare up again and cause underlying resentment.
