The conflict-free workplace…alas, it simply doesn’t exist. Because workplace conflict disrupts morale and performance, and affects everyone in the organization, it’s important to be able to referee these disputes to a peaceful conclusion. Here are some tips for doing just that.
Alice and Brian have never really liked each other, but these days, their conflict is the talk of the office. People go out of their way to not have the two in the same meeting, even though both should attend. Others bait the two like spectators at a wrestling match, hoping for a blowup. And there’s even a joke that Las Vegas bookies are putting odds on who would win in a nationally broadcast Friday night smack-down.
What’s more significant is what’s not happening … effective teamwork. The Alice-Brian thing is seriously interrupting office communication, morale, and productivity.
5 must-have tips for improving employee relations and resolving disputes
If you’ve got a “Alice-Brian Thing” in your workplace, you’re far from alone. According to three studies reported on by Dr. Tony Fiore at businessknowhow.com, management spends from 24 percent to 60 percent of its time dealing with workplace conflict. Is there any way to stop a war between workers after it’s begun?
Here’s the experts’ consensus playbook for all you workplace referees:
1. First, bring the conflicting parties together. Never meet with them alone, as this will automatically be seen as taking sides, even if this is not your intent.
2. Let each tell his or her side, without interruption. Grievances can’t be resolved without being aired. And allowing interruptions will, again, be seen as taking sides.
3. Identify the true motivation behind the conflict. The antagonists will bring up every slight and perceived slight that’s ever happened in their relationship, but you need to ask yourself what’s really holding up the show. What’s at the heart of the disagreement? It may be something under the surface that has no bearing on what anyone is actually saying.
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4. Realize that, even in conflict, there is the seed of compromise. No one enjoys living under hostile conditions. If you can find common ground between the parties, there will be a predisposition to settle the matter. But it may take a lot of time, talk, and patience.
Tomorrow, 4 more expert tips, as well as two important truisms you need to accept about conflicts in the workplace.
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