Managing Conflict

When conflicts arise (and if you have more than one employee, it’s guaranteed that they will), do you know how to handle them? Not all conflict is bad. No new idea or method has ever been accepted without some sort of conflict attached. But it’s important that conflict is managed so it does not spiral out of control.

Tips for conflict control:

1. Identify the conflict. Notice when a conflict has arisen between two employees or among members of a team. In some cases, the best approach is to let conflicting parties solve the problems on their own. Watch carefully to see if the conflict damages relationships or hinders work performance.

2. Ask questions. It helps to know what is causing a conflict. Is it a personal problem between two or more employees? Is it the result of outside forces, such as scheduling problems, lack of resources or stress? Are basic values at stake? Or is change occurring in the workplace and people are resistant to new ideas?

3. Strategize a solution. There are five common ways that conflicts get solved:

° Collaboration. Encourage conflicting parties to work together to solve the problem and reach consensus.

° Compromise. Each side in the conflict gives up something or concedes a point in order to satisfy the greater good.

° Competition. One side is declared “right” while the other is “wrong.”

° Accommodation. One party agrees to back off and concede to the other’s point of view.

° Avoidance. Parties agree to disagree or the issue is tabled until a later date.

The path you choose depends on the people involved, the root of the issue and your desired outcome. Remember: Conflict can’t be avoided, and it may even bring about healthy, desirable change for your workplace. Just make sure it occurs in an atmosphere of respect.

Share valuable information on how to positively resolve workplace conflicts with your employees. Check out the resources on managing conflict at PersonalBest.com.

More resources for HR professionals, managers, and supervisors:

• Guide to Managing Human Resources Chapter 15: Managing Conflict, from the University of California Berkley.
• Managing Conflict in the Workplace (pdf)
• Six Tips to Managing Workplace Conflict, From CareerBuilder.com and CNN.com.