No one expects to be best friends with all of their coworkers, but at the same time, not getting along with your colleagues can have some serious consequences.
Conflict in the workplace is something that nearly everyone will need to deal with at some point – whether they themselves are faced with conflict, or whether they are a manager having to resolve a conflict between employees. That’s why it’s so important to know how to deal with this conflict, and this post is here to help with that.
Have a plan
Going into any type of conflict resolution without a plan is not a good idea. If you are trying to mediate the conflict between two people, you need to know exactly what the conflict is about. And if you yourself are in conflict with someone else, you need to know how you will be presenting your case.
Luckily, there are many resources that can help you with conflict resolution. For example, you can ask your company’s human resources department for assistance, or you can look into conflict resolution strategies for some guidance.
Keep it professional
Next, you need to remember to keep things professional at all times. Most businesses have a standard operating procedure set out for when they need to handle conflict, and it’s important that you stick to these guidelines. Again, this is why it’s a good idea to have someone from human resources sit in during the conflict resolution meeting, as they will have the most experience with this.
If you are mediating a conflict, be sure to actively listen to both parties so that you can make a fair and unbiased decision.
If you are personally involved in the conflict
As mentioned, there are two scenarios where you might find yourself involved in a conflict resolution attempt. The first is when you are personally involved in the conflict, so let’s discuss some things that can help you if you find yourself in this position.
First, you need to speak the truth. Never lie, and if possible, try to have some type of evidence to back your claims. Next, you need to make sure that you don’t let your emotions get the best of you. If you need some tips for staying calm when you’re angry, give this post a read.
If you are mediating the conflict
Another way in which you may need to deal with conflict in the workplace is if you are in a senior position and you need to resolve a conflict between two of your employees.
Again, you need to make sure that you are putting your personal feelings aside and looking at the issue objectively. Also try to find a solution that works best for everyone involved. For example, if the conflict stems from someone struggling with their mental health, you may want to assist them in finding a mental health professional.