What is Conflict Management?
RUNTIME HRMS
Runtime HRMS is a modern SaaS application to manage employees, attendance, payroll and compliances.
When someone mentions the word conflict words like dispute, clash between two or more individuals, might pop into your head. Now in the workplace it is important to manage and resolve conflict between teams in such a way that both the parties can be happy about the resolution.
Let us break down what is conflict management.
Sakshi and Shreya, marketing associates, are clashing over campaign strategies. Alisha, their marketing manager, finds a middle ground, blending both ideas to create a successful strategy and resolving the conflict.
A 2023 Gartner survey shows that 57% of managers say they are fully responsible for managing and resolving conflicts among the teams. Managers who can adeptly handle interpersonal conflicts among employees can significantly benefit their organizations. The real question is, as a manager do you feel truly trained and ready for this task?
4 Common Sources of Conflict in the Workplace
A misunderstanding can occur when messages are not clear. For example, if an email sent to you lacks detail, then you might miss a critical deadline.
Different people have different personalities which can lead to friction. For instance, you are a detail-oriented person, and you might struggle to work with an individual who prefers a who does not care about details and believes in just getting the job done.
When departments have opposing goals, it can increase the tension and objectives of organization might not be fulfilled.
Imagine the sales team pushing for rapid customer onboarding while the support team struggles with the increased workload.
When you have an unclear job duty, it can cause confusion. For example, if it is unclear who should handle customer complaints, this task might be neglected or duplicated, causing frustration among employees.
5 Key Conflict Management Styles
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You might choose to avoid a conflict, hoping it will resolve itself. For example, if a colleague criticizes your work, you might ignore it to keep the peace. While this can prevent immediate tension, it often leaves underlying issues unresolved and can lead to bigger problems down the line.
You decide to prioritize the other person’s needs over your own. Imagine a situation where a coworker wants to take the lead on a project, and you let them, even though you were keen on leading it. This can help maintain harmony but if done too often, you might feel undervalued or taken advantage of.
When you push for your own viewpoint at the expense of others, you are competing. For example, in a meeting, you might insist that your approach is implemented without considering others' ideas. This can be effective in emergencies or when a quick decision is needed, but it can also strain relationships if overused.
You find a way where both parties must give up something to achieve common ground. For instance, if you and a colleague both want to take a vacation during the same week, you might agree to each take half the time off. This helps resolve the conflict quickly but might not fully satisfy either party.
It means you must work together to find a mutual solution. For example, if two departments are arguing over budget allocation, you collaborate to find a way to share resources efficiently. This approach is the most humane and often leads to the best outcomes, as it addresses everyone’s needs and strengthens relationships.
5 tips for conflict management
Here are few useful tips to manage conflict-
Thoughts on conflict management
In wrapping up, managing conflicts effectively is more than just a workplace skill—it's about nurturing relationships and creating a supportive environment where everyone can thrive. When we approach conflicts with understanding and empathy, we turn challenges into opportunities for stronger connections and better teamwork. It’s not about avoiding disagreements, but about handling them in a way that brings us closer and builds a more positive, collaborative workplace.
How do you resolve conflicts in your organization? Let us know your valuable suggestions in the comments.