Employee conflict resolution is a must-have skill for managers today!

Generally, workplace conflicts fall into two categories. One is the Personality conflict that is driven by emotions such as anger, stress, and frustration. The other is Substantive conflict which is tangible and task-related, like the decisions made or the performance of a team member. Conflict resolution can help in identifying, addressing, and resolving disagreements or disputes among employees thereby fostering a positive and productive work environment.

Major reasons for organizational conflict are having employees with different personalities, setting unclear expectations, and giving unclear responsibilities. Individual ego can also step in and cloud judgments which could lead to conflicts. However, different styles of working within the same team can lead to arguments and incompatible goals within the workplace.?

Some ways in which managers can turn conflict into a negative situation:

• Often avoiding difficult conversations
• Shut down when you don’t feel heard
• Use passive-aggressive tactics to get things done
• Blame others for the situation

Some ways in which managers can turn conflict into a positive situation:

• Raise the Issue early and manage emotions while conversing
• Practice Active Listening - paraphrase, use appropriate body language, look out for non-verbal signals
• Acknowledge criticism
• Finding a common ground
• Validate feelings without ridiculing behavior
• Ask curious questions to learn about others’ perspectives

Having managers who can proactively address conflicts by creating a positive workplace culture, making sure communication channels are clear, planning effectively for the future, and working with HR will not only help in retention but will also have an empowering impact on the culture of the organization.