How do you productively resolve conflict between parties?

Conflicts are good to evolve, learn new things from each other and not always ugly until unless our EGOs become the hurdles. So as we know every human is different and their perceptions about things. It is always good to first understand each other perspective individually. This enables to understand the fundamental reason of occurrence means the lowest touch point of the issue taking shape into conflict. Treatment of the cause to be started from root to resolve for betterment of the organization, team & at individual level. So techincally Root Cause Analysis of any pain area should be the first step for better results.

Conflicts can be good. Conflicts bring underlying problems to light, allowing for targeted solutions and long-term improvement. However, it's important to distinguish between healthy conflicts that lead to growth and destructive conflicts that harm relationships and productivity. How conflicts are managed and resolved plays a crucial role in determining their impact.

More often, the workplace conflicts result from two parties working towards a common goal using their own approach and own style /attitude. When you think its a conflict - Step back and see if its just is an issue with individual's attitude or just a wrong approach to the goal. Differences in approaches can be resolved with positive discussion but when attitudes conflict, the issue gets personal. Its important to be open to receptive idea, functioning, work styles and behaviours. In such cases, its better to get together, agree upon a common behavioral guidelines to follow - in terms of communication, collaboration etc so that any misunderstandings can be avoided. Declare your behavioural expectations prior to starting work.

Stay Calm: Approach the conflict with a calm and composed demeanor to create a conducive atmosphere for resolution. Listen Actively: Allow all parties involved to express their perspectives fully. Listen without interrupting to understand their concerns.

Active Listening is one of most important trait one should to have or develop it with growing experience. It is important always, but especially when we have to resolve any conflicts, it helps us to know perspective of individuals. As active listener, it will develop a trust and person will share from heart the touch points why the conflicting situation has come up. Once you have entire picture in your mind, you can then able to brainstorm with parties together and bring them on same page and provide the right solution that is agreeable to conflicting parties.

Active listening is an underrated tool that can help improve communication and build stronger relationships. When we actively listen, we give the speaker our full attention and focus on understanding their message. We can then confirm that we've heard and understood what the other person said by paraphrasing or summarizing what they said. This helps to ensure that we're on the same page and can work together more effectively. Active listening can also help to diffuse tense situations by showing the speaker that we're willing to hear them out and work together to find a solution.

Active listening also means you approach the discussion with open and receptive mind. Listening should also include self-introspect, ability to hear different perspective. A conflict resolution discussion could mean that other individual is right in his/her own capacity but its you who needs to change. So lets not keep listening, just for the sake of empathy and to show you are active in the dialogue. Let there be a bigger purpose. At the end of the day, goal is to resolve any potential conflict, understand the other side, introspect and see what could be done better.

Clearly articulate the specific points of disagreement or the main issue causing the conflict. Express staying non-judgemental.

Re-focusing the dialogue on forward progress is another tool that goes hand in hand when seeking common ground, particularly during instances where consensus and mutual benefit remain unfound. Steering the conversation towards what could be done in the here and now will lead to more positive mitigation and solutions oriented outcome.

Find Common Ground by Identify areas of agreement and shared goals to build a foundation for finding a solution. Explore solutions that incorporate elements from each side's preferences. Highlight Mutual Benefits.Illustrate how the chosen solution benefits everyone involved. Build Bridges. Encourage open communication and a willingness to collaborate. Avoid Fixed Positions. Shift from rigid stances to flexible, solutions-oriented thinking.

Stay Solution-Focused.Keep the conversation centered on finding a shared solution. Finding common ground requires a willingness to understand each other's perspectives and a commitment to creating a resolution that meets the needs of all parties involved.

To productively resolve conflicts, it's a simple 7 steps process: 1) Clear expectation setting 2) Facts and data-driven approach with sentimental values included 3) Differentiate Critial vs Priority vs Importance vs Good to have. Basis for this is Business interest vs individual and significance of impact 4) Including opinions and experience of Sponsor, Stakeholders, Clients, Employees and importantly Users of product/service opinions 5) Clear roles and responsibilities using DICE or suitable models 6) Always have Line of Sight (approved direction or goal) 7) Collaborate and Partner with all stakeholders (stakeholders are people who have vested interest in success and outcomes)