How can you improve your conflict resolution skills for a promotion to supervisor?

1 Identify the source of the conflict

The first step in resolving any conflict is to understand what caused it and who is involved. You need to gather information from different perspectives and identify the main issues, interests, and emotions of the parties. Avoid making assumptions or judgments based on your own biases or preferences. Instead, ask open-ended questions, listen actively, and empathize with the feelings and needs of others. By identifying the source of the conflict, you can clarify the problem and avoid escalating it further.

2 Choose an appropriate style

Choosing the right style of conflict resolution is key to addressing the situation and maintaining the relationship between parties. Accommodating can be useful for preserving harmony, but it can also lead to resentment. Avoiding can be helpful when the conflict is trivial, however, it can also signal indifference. Competing can be effective when you need to stand up for your rights, yet it may create hostility. Compromising may be beneficial when you need a quick or temporary solution, however, it could result in a suboptimal outcome. Collaborating can be advantageous when you want to build trust and achieve a lasting solution, but it could also be challenging or unrealistic in some situations. Selecting the best style depends on the context and goals of the conflict resolution process and being flexible enough to switch styles if needed.

3 Communicate effectively

Communication is essential for resolving any conflict. To improve your conflict resolution skills, you need to communicate clearly, respectfully, and assertively. Utilize "I" statements instead of "you" statements to express your feelings, thoughts, and needs without blaming or accusing the other party. Additionally, use positive and constructive language to avoid triggering defensiveness or hostility. Active listening skills such as paraphrasing, summarizing, and reflecting are also beneficial in showing that you understand and acknowledge the other party's point of view. Additionally, feedback skills such as giving and receiving compliments, suggestions, and criticisms can enhance the quality of the dialogue and the relationship. Non-verbal communication skills such as eye contact, facial expressions, and body language can also help convey your message and emotions in a consistent and appropriate way. Through effective communication, you can reduce misunderstandings, build rapport, and foster collaboration.

4 Generate and evaluate options

Once you have communicated with the parties and understood their positions, you need to generate and evaluate options for resolving the conflict. You can use brainstorming techniques such as mind mapping, listing, or clustering to generate as many ideas as possible, without judging or rejecting them at first. You can then evaluate the options based on criteria such as feasibility, acceptability, fairness, and sustainability. You can use decision-making tools such as pros and cons, ranking, or voting to select the best option that meets the needs and interests of both sides.

5 Implement and follow up

The final step in resolving a conflict is to implement and follow up on the agreed solution. You need to make sure that the parties understand and commit to the solution, and that they have the resources and support to carry it out. You also need to monitor the progress and the results of the solution, and provide feedback and recognition to the parties. You should also review the conflict resolution process and identify what worked well and what can be improved for future conflicts.

By implementing and following up on the solution, you can ensure that the conflict is resolved effectively and that the parties are satisfied and motivated.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?