14 Tips To Resolve Conflicts At Work

Conflicts at the workplace are inevitable, but handling them timely is the only way to avoid awkward interactions and a toxic working environment. Whether you’re a manager or a team member, here are 14 tips for handling workplace conflicts swiftly and smartly without making things worse:

Find out the reason

Try to find out the cause behind the disagreement. Did the parties fight over a particular issue? Did something happen to make things worse? Investigate the cause before you proceed with finding solutions.

Discuss it privately

Don’t air dirty laundry in your workplace. It’s best to discuss things privately to avoid unnecessary office gossip and ensure both parties are comfortable discussing the conflict and willing to resolve it.

Hear both sides of the story

Don’t pit one person’s perspective against the other. Talk to everyone involved in the conflict and ask for their side of the story. Listen to them patiently and ensure you repeat what they say to keep the story straight.

Understand their position

Some workplace conflicts happen because people lash out due to personal or professional concerns. Put yourself in their shoes to see what might have pushed them to fight or disagree. Remain neutral until you’ve got a clear picture.

Set a common goal

You may not be able to solve all problems, but you can take an approach that will get you there. Talk with the involved parties and set a common goal they can work toward. This will help them see the bigger picture and hash it out.

Ask them for a solution

If you can’t come up with a solution, ask both parties involved to come up with one. This will help them get back on the same page or at least figure out what type of solution will work for them. You can work your way from there.

Involve a third person

If you can’t decide what to do, involve a third person. Choose someone who has a neutral relationship with both parties. This will help the third person mediate the situation without choosing sides.

Prioritize concerns

Don’t dismiss the concerns from each side; sort them out. Prioritize and handle problems that are most likely to disrupt a healthy work environment. Once you’ve dealt with the major ones, you can work on the more minor concerns.

Adopt a work-it-out attitude

Don’t let the conflict affect your work performance. Keep a positive attitude and stay determined to resolve the problem. You won’t be able to reach a healthy agreement if you keep putting it off.

Focus on the future

Don’t let the conflict prevent you from promising opportunities and achievements. Stick to your individual professional goals. Remember to stay calm and composed and avoid escalating the situation further.

Move on from the conflict

Sometimes, moving on from conflict is the best way to deal with it. If you and the involved parties can’t come up with a solution, accept the situation and find a way to work around it. Getting stuck in the conflict will only make it worse.

Establish clear rules

Set clear personal and professional boundaries to prevent such a situation from happening again. You can discuss these rules with the involved parties and even take them to management to resolve the issue.

Choose An Appropriate Time

Choosing the right time to address conflict is crucial for a positive outcome. Avoid times when either party is distracted or stressed, such as before a project’s deadline. Mornings or lunch breaks are best when each person has a fresh mind and perspective to think about it.

Follow Up

After resolving a conflict, it’s important to follow up with all involved parties to ensure the strategies have been effective. It will also help you address any further underlying issues the involved parties may be facing.