Conflict at Workplace

Crash Course on Conflict

Conflicts are a very common place in work situations. Conflict is certainly a good thing. Yes, you read it right! If the conflict situation is used well, conflicts can result in a lot of growth, both personal and professional. Most people tend to avoid conflicts, as that is the path of least resistance. However, that doesn’t resolve the conflict. It just stays under-cover and results in passive aggression in the work-place and the day it finally bursts out, it will be far messier than the initial one. Instead, actively working towards the resolution of the conflict is the right strategy to implement to cool things down and resume work in positive spirits.

Sources of conflict

It is now time to identify the general sources of conflict in the workplace:

• Different Interests: Competition to win one’s own interests is a major cause of conflicts
• Different values: Different people perceive things differently and that sure is a source of conflict.
• Personality clashes: Acceptance of various personalities and personal approaches toward work is a key factor in maintaining a healthy workplace
• Poor communication: Results in misunderstanding and mistrust between employees.
• Poor performance: When some work hard and some don’t, it naturally creates conflict with one group calling out or taunting the other
• Scarce resources: This one goes back to ‘survival of the fittest’ and competitive mentality

Ways to handle conflict

Once you know which category you are falling into, it is now time to consider different ways of handling conflict:

• Avoidance: Avoid facing the conflict. This is wishful thinking that the conflict will subside and lack of action towards an active resolution.
• Collaboration: Paving way towards a new and a mutually beneficial solution or way of doing things
• Compromise: Using strategies for negotiation and finding the middle ground where both parties win and lose a little at the same time
• Competing: Simply put “The best man wins” attitude towards conflict. One productive change that can be used is by converting it into “The best idea wins”
• Accommodation: Giving up and let the other person have their way for this time.

Prepare for conflict-resolution:

Here are the things to take care of during conflict resolution process:

• Define Acceptable Behaviour: The expected behaviours and conduct while performing duties and during conflict should be well articulated and communicated so that they know what will be tolerated and what won’t be.
• Address it face-to-face: It is better to get things done face-to-face instead letting things go awry by telephone or email.
• Hit Conflict Head-on: Spot potential areas from where conflict could arise and address them before it even becomes a thing.
• Take time-out where necessary: When things get too heated up, it’s a good idea to take a time-out and cool down.
• Stick to real issues: Means the issues of the here and now! Avoid pulling up past or calling names.
• Be aware of motives: It is very important to be aware of the other person’s motives and what they are trying to achieve. What you initially think may not be what they are really after. It’s always good to ask!
• Importance Factor: Fight only worthy battles. Don’t waste your time picking battles that aren’t worth it.
• View conflict as an Opportunity: Leverage conflict for growth. The right resolution could lead to great innovation and change.

To read more