You're a Marketing Research professional dealing with conflict. What's the best way to resolve it?

1 Identify the source

The first step to resolve conflict is to identify the source and nature of the disagreement. Is it about facts, methods, values, or personalities? What are the underlying needs and interests of each party? How does the conflict affect the project objectives and outcomes? By clarifying the source of the conflict, you can avoid assumptions, misunderstandings, and personal attacks.

3 Communicate assertively

The third step to resolve conflict is to communicate assertively and respectfully your own position and needs. Communicating assertively means expressing yourself clearly, confidently, and honestly, without being aggressive or passive. It also means respecting the other party's position and needs, without giving up your own. To communicate assertively, you should use "I" statements, focus on the issue not the person, and use facts and evidence to support your arguments.

4 Seek solutions

The fourth step to resolve conflict is to seek solutions that are mutually beneficial and acceptable for both parties. Solutions should be based on the project goals and criteria, not on personal preferences or emotions. Solutions should also be realistic, feasible, and measurable. To seek solutions, you should brainstorm ideas, evaluate pros and cons, and negotiate trade-offs.

5 Follow up

The fifth step to resolve conflict is to follow up on the agreed solutions and monitor their implementation and impact. Following up means confirming the details and expectations of the solutions, documenting them in writing, and communicating them to the relevant parties. It also means checking the progress and results of the solutions, providing feedback, and making adjustments if needed. Following up shows commitment and accountability, and helps to prevent future conflicts.

6 Learn from experience

The sixth step to resolve conflict is to learn from experience and improve your skills and processes. Learning from experience means reflecting on what went well and what went wrong in the conflict situation, and how you can do better next time. It also means seeking feedback from others, taking responsibility for your actions, and acknowledging your strengths and weaknesses. Learning from experience helps you to grow as a marketing research professional and build trust and rapport with your clients, colleagues, and stakeholders.

7 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?