A Guide to Successful Conflict Resolution in the Workplace

Conflict is a natural part of life. When there are different people with different backgrounds and life experiences, everyone will formulate their own way of operating. Different opinions will naturally lead to conflict at work, church, home, and school. Unfortunately, there are many people that panic when there's conflict and they don't know how to come to a resolution. Conflict doesn't equate to failure and it's not a sign that someone should give up on their point of view. In fact, conflict can lead parties to sit down and come to a better resolution that benefits everyone. Getting to that point of resolution involves a few steps and the willing desire of opposing parties to make things work. In order to achieve successful conflict resolution in the workplace, there are a few steps to consider.

Realize that there's an issue

When two parties are deep in conflict, one of the worst things to do is act like it doesn't exist. This happens in many ways. Passive aggressive behavior can rear its ugly head in these situations. Assumptions and gossip tend to happen as well. As soon as the conflict seems to come up, don't let it fester for a long time. This causes more unnecessary pain than it's worth. Realize that it's not a figment of the imagination and the conflict is actually happening. Get over the denial phase of the issue quickly.

Address the issue directly

Office gossip is a common part of many workplace cultures. Just because it is common doesn't mean it is healthy. Instead of going to the receptionist, the janitor and a fellow co-worker about an issue, go to the actual person it involves. Avoid office gossip like the plague because it doesn't help make the office environment a safe place for productivity and growth. If someone comes to gossip, encourage them to go directly to the person they have the issue with and deal with it directly.

Include an unbiased party to mediate

Sometimes, it may be hard for two parties to effectively work through a conflict. In cases where it gets really challenging, it's wise to call a third party to mediate the discussion. The third party should be unbiased and fair. Consider hiring a professional with legal experience under their belt. Whether they're a practicing lawyer or someone with a master’s in criminal law, they need to have experience in the legal field to help de-escalate problems before they get out of hand.

Have definitive action steps at the resolution

Once both parties explain their side and deliberate, there needs to be a solution to the problem. Based on what the problem is, the solution can pan out in a variety of ways. It doesn't always have to end negatively, though.

Dealing with conflict resolution usually isn't fun. Yet, it is still a part of life everyone will have to deal with. It's the way the conflict gets handled that will make all the difference. With these steps, anyone can come out feeling better and more confident in their ability to look conflict in the face and deal with it.