How to Handle Conflict in the Workplace?

Conflicts arise everywhere and at any time. It’s just a normal part of our nature as human beings. What counts in situations like these is how you handle them, because dodging the bullet is inevitable sometimes. You can’t prevent conflicts from happening forever, so you might as well be ready for them with the right attitude and mindset. In today’s article, we will discuss how to handle the conflicts that might happen at your workplace and see what options you have to make the best out of these situations and get out of them with the least amount of damage possible.

What Causes Conflict in Workplaces in the First Place?

It could take forever to answer this question, as each workplace has its own style and version of conflicts and their triggers. But let’s take a look at the general and main reasons that may be causing the drama at your workplace.

1. Information-Related Conflicts:

When people have insufficient or different information or disagree over what data is relevant, there can be information conflicts. A neutral individual can facilitate a respectful environment in which parties can be heard and information disparities can be resolved. 

2. Lack of Communication Skills:

Conflicts between employees in the workplace are often, and sometimes mainly, caused by this. Misinformation, a lack of information, and comments out of context can be part of poor communication from management or between employees. In the end, it’s called a workplace for a reason. It’s a place for the team, and a team should always have a healthy form of communication in order for the workflow to be more comfortable, smoother, and free of drama.

3. Poor Management:

This one is literally enough to turn the workplace into the most toxic one you’ve ever seen or been in. Poor management creates more problems than anything else, leaving the employees under a huge cloud of tension and anxiety. Eventually, things start to go south between them. As much as it’s the employees’ job to build their own version of a healthy workplace environment, if the management is never doing the right things for the employees or the workplace, things get ugly quickly.

4. Unrealistic Workloads:

There may be pressure to compete for resources when companies lack sufficient resources, making some employees feel as if they are set up for failure. People can develop resentment toward their leaders or coworkers if they feel that their workload is unmanageable or that they are pushed too hard to perform.

The Common Types of Conflict in Workplaces:

Every type of human interaction has a pattern that reveals itself over time. Let’s take a closer look at some of those negative patterns that occur mainly in workplaces.

1. Leadership-Related Conflicts:

In most workplace conflicts, leaders intervene to resolve them. Is it possible that the leaders themselves are at the center of this drama as well as the cause of it? There are many types of workplace conflicts, but leadership conflicts are among the most common. Leadership and management styles vary from leader to leader, and employees respond differently to those styles. Managers of different teams may have conflicts with each other, or leaders might have conflicts with their team members.

2. Creative Control Conflicts:

Creating and discussing ideas in groups is more likely to lead to conflict. Quarrels and competition can result from employees coming up with different ideas and reacting differently to those ideas. Even though it can be challenging to work with ideas that are completely different from your own, it can lead to the best outcomes.

3. Personality Differences:

Conflicts between personalities are the most common. There may be disagreements and arguments about character traits, values, hobbies, interests, and more. Every person we meet can't be our best friend. It can be frustrating to work together when we don't like each other's different personalities.

4. Style of Work:

Each and every one of us is a unique worker or student, and sometimes our differences can cause conflict. Maybe you prefer an organized approach to your work, while your colleague prefers a trial-and-error approach. When team members have different working styles, it may be difficult to understand each other's approaches.

How to Handle Conflicts Correctly?

With all of that being said, now it’s time to learn how to put that knowledge to use and know how to handle and resolve your workplace conflicts correctly and healthily.

1. Solve Them As Soon As Possible:

It is difficult to face conflict head-on. The problem, however, can negatively affect employee productivity and engagement if it is left unaddressed for too long. Take responsibility for difficult conversations by encouraging a culture of accountability. So your best bet is to do the unpleasant thing and handle the current conflict as soon as possible and you’ll be glad that you did.

2. Know Which Type of Conflict You’re Going Through:

You should start by finding out what caused the conflict. After that, determine if the conflict is related to a task, a relationship, or a value. Knowing what sort of conflict it is allows you to come up with specific tactics for resolving it. In the absence of this step, you are likely to waste time dealing with issues that have no bearing on the real conflict.

3. Listen to the Other Side Respectfully:

The ability to listen actively is one of the most valuable skills you can possess as a professional. Human nature makes it easy to share your opinion without regard for the other people involved, no matter your role in a workplace conflict. Listening is more important than talking when it comes to reaching a resolution. As a result, the other person will follow suit when it is your turn to speak. 

4. Don’t Solve it Completely on Your Own:

Problem-solving at work can seem like an easy task when conflicts arise. There are times when working independently feels more comfortable than working collaboratively. Nevertheless, you must motivate your team to take part if you want a long-term solution. Taking this approach will give employees a sense of ownership and prevent future conflicts.

Bottom Line:

Every place is a new door to a lot of new experiences. Don’t view conflicts as negative things, as you can learn a lot from solving them and going through them. It’s a great way to practice and improve your workplace communication skills.