9 Ways to Manage Conflict at Work

1. Acknowledge the Conflict

The first step to resolving any conflict is to acknowledge that it exists. We need to take the time to listen to both sides and understand the issues we are dealing with.

2. Listen Actively

Active listening is a critical skill in conflict resolution because it’s vital to understand the other person’s point of view and where they’re coming from. Developing empathy for the other person will help you understand why the conflict has arisen in the first place. Make sure you are fully present in the conversation, paying attention to both the words being spoken and the nonverbal cues. Repeat back what you've heard to ensure you understand the other person's perspective.

3. Stay Calm and Respond

Avoid reacting with anger or defensiveness by remembering to pause. Managing conflict is a great opportunity to practice mindfulness.

4. Focus on the Problem and Work the Process, Not the Person

It’s important to focus on the problem at hand and not either take it personally or make personal attacks. After all, if you want to resolve conflict, you need to be finding solutions to the problem at hand rather than becoming distracted by the other person’s behaviour.

5. Approach the Situation With Curiosity

When you come to a conversation with the intention of staying curious, it reminds you to ask questions (rather than make statements) and keeps you grounded in your growth mindset. The best question to ask yourself in these situations is: what can I learn here?

6. Find Common Ground

This means looking for areas of agreement and working from there. What is it that both parties are trying to achieve and how can you go from there?

7. Brainstorm Solutions

Once you’ve identified the issues at hand, it’s time to brainstorm solutions. This means getting everyone involved and coming up with ideas together.

8. Agree on a Plan of Action

Once a solution has been identified, it’s important to agree on a plan of action and next steps. Set clear expectations and outline who will be responsible for which actions.

9. Follow Up

A critical step that is often missed in managing conflict is following up to ensure that the issue has been resolved, and that everyone is satisfied with the outcome. This means checking in with everyone involved and making sure that the plan of action is working as intended.

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Reflection:

What are your thoughts on these tips?

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