Conflict in the workplace is nothing unusual. Throw different personalities into a confined space for eight hours a day, give them targets to hit and deadlines to meet and you’ve got the perfect recipe for arguments and resentment.
Add to this power struggles, conflicting priorities, personality differences, jealousy, or simply stress and it’s easy to see why the workplace is the ideal breeding ground for conflict.
But when colleagues disagree, or worse still, openly argue, it can create an unpleasant environment for everyone. Furthermore, conflict stifles creativity, reduces productivity and can result in stress-related illness. So, it’s important to tackle conflict head-on and resolve potential issues before they become full-blown problems.
If you’re lucky enough to be in a workplace with a good structure and strong leadership, you’ll probably find that the management team has already devised strategies to avoid conflict. This could include team-building sessions, regular meetings or social events to help colleagues bond and support one another. But if your workplace isn’t so forward-thinking, you might be better off taking matters into your own hands and resolving any potential conflict yourself. Here are five ways to resolve conflict with colleagues:
Communicate
Whether at work, or outside work, the first step to resolving any kind of conflict is communication. If someone has annoyed you or consistently does things that upset you, it might seem easier to avoid confrontation by keeping quiet. But that only leads to further misunderstandings and resentment. If it’s clear that you and a particular colleague have unresolved issues, talk to them. Choose a time when you’re both able to sit down, free from distractions, and have a calm discussion. Often, by clearing the air, you can both understand the pressures that the other is facing and come to an agreement for working together harmoniously in the future.
Escape the office
If the office is a hectic environment, it can be difficult to talk calmly with colleagues. Suggest heading out for a walk or grab a coffee together at lunchtime and you might find it’s easier to talk. Socialising outside the office is also a good strategy for avoiding conflict from arising in the first place; so always make time to meet up with colleagues regularly outside office hours.
Show empathy
Remember, people don’t usually choose to be unpleasant so, if you find a colleague is difficult to get along with, try thinking about the difficulties they might be facing. Perhaps their workload is causing them stress or maybe they have problems in their personal life. By empathising, you’ll find it easier to offer support rather than instantly becoming defensive when they appear difficult.
Walk away
When tempers rise at work, it’s often best to walk away from the situation and come back when you’ve calmed down. You don’t want to say something in the heat of the moment that you later regret.
Seek help
If you and a colleague constantly battle against one another and you’re unable to resolve the conflict, it might be time to ask another person for help. Perhaps your boss or HR department can offer advice to help you resolve your difficulties. Or it may be possible to reshape the teams so that you no longer need to work with the colleague that’s causing conflict.
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