5 Steps To Navigate Workplace Conflict

The hard fact is that your employees will not always get along. As much as you hire for culture fit,
promote respect, and encourage open communication, with so many personalities at play, your team
members are bound to experience conflict occasionally.
The real question is, how will you (and they) handle it when conflict occurs?

What is Conflict?

Workplace conflict is a disagreement between employees. This can arise from a number of causes such
as:

 Different personalities and communication styles
 Misunderstandings regarding roles and responsibilities
 Issues with the organizational structure or policies
 Differing values or goals

Unchecked, these disagreements can plant a weed inside your organization, taking over the “healthy”
relationships and poisoning the team dynamic. This can lead to decreased productivity, lower workplace
satisfaction, quiet-quitting, and employees jumping ship.

The good news is that conflict is normal and can actually be a good thing! High-performing teams are
made up of individuals with varied backgrounds, different viewpoints, and a myriad of skills. When these
people come together, they bring creative and diverse ideas to the table.
Imagine a rock band touring the country. Even the bands that have “made it” spend long periods of time
together, traveling, practicing, and performing. Often, they live in cramped quarters, unable to escape
one another for weeks, if not months at a time. With so many strong personalities, there are going to be
disagreements. However, the successful bands (those who stand the test of time) know they must host
“band meetings” so members can speak up, share what’s bothering them, and find a mutual solution.

How Can You Manage Conflict in Your Organization?
Now that you know conflict will happen and that, if handled properly, it can be constructive, how do you
do it?

Here are a few steps to help you manage conflict and strengthen relationships:
1. Encourage open communication
Employees must have a way to air their grievances without fear of retribution. Holding their
feelings inside will only lead to anger, resentment, and passive-aggressive behaviors toward
their coworkers and management.
Invite employees to speak up when something bothers them and offer them the space
and guidance to have a productive conversation.

2. Model Active Listening
Employees will generally follow your lead. If they see you shut down when opposing viewpoints
are presented, they will see this as acceptable behavior.

Instead, practice (and model):
 Listening to understand
 Acknowledging the other person’s feelings (even if you disagree with their ideas)
 Asking questions to better understand where they are coming from

3. Recognize the Problem Instead of Vilifying the Participants
When disagreements occur, it’s not because one or both of the individuals are bad or out to get
the other. Most of the time, both parties want what's best for the company but disagree about
how to get there.
Avoid blaming or attacking the person. Instead, focus on the specific behaviors or actions
causing the problem and look for potential solutions.

4. Work Together to Reach a Resolution (and Innovate in the Process)
Include both parties as you brainstorm solutions. This is where those differing backgrounds,
points of view, and skills really shine. When you identify points of conflict, you also identify opportunities for process improvements,
new products or services, and perhaps even an entirely different direction for your organization.

5. Show Appreciation
Once the dueling parties have reached a resolution, thank them for participating in the process.
Show them (and their coworkers) that conflict doesn’t have to be viewed as something to be
avoided at all costs but rather embraced as a healthy occurrence within the team.
Conclusion
To create a high-performing team that goes the distance, you must learn how to manage and even
embrace conflict. Only then can you unleash the rockstars on your team.

"You got to be able to realize, in any situation, that you’re stronger together than you are alone."
– Dave Grohl
To learn more about rockstar leadership, visit https://marvellessmark.com/.