Conflict Resolution In The Workplace

Conflicts are a natural part of life - we deal with them with our parents, with our siblings, with our spouses, and even with our own children. But out of all the conflicts we deal with in our lives, the ones most difficult to resolve are often those we have in the workplace. We are better equipped to handle familial conflicts because of the foundation of relationship that is already in place, both before and after the conflict. Workplace conflicts are often in danger of being far more explosive than those conflicts in the home, simply because they entail people who hardly know one another. While there is certainly no cure-all that can solve and eradicate all workplace conflicts, there are a number of tips you can pick up that will help you to solve workplace problems, settling them in a calm and effective manner, before they blow up and injure all individuals involved.

"Assigning blame" is one of the biggest pitfalls people fall prey to when trying to deal with all conflicts in general, and with workplace conflicts specifically. If you tell someone, "You don't do any work," they are less likely to react the way you might like for them to react than if you say, "I feel like I am doing all the work here."

A great approach to take in resolving conflicts is the "us versus the problem" approach. Rather than instituting a "me versus you" situation, the "us versus the problem" approach acknowledges that there is a problem, and it aims to combine the forces of both individuals to work the problem out. This is also a great way to avoid placing blame, as the problem becomes something both people are fighting against together, instead of something that is being ascribed to one person.

Finally, make sure you always think twice (maybe even three times) before involving your superiors in an argument. You can introduce bitterness into your relationship with your coworker very quickly when you involve someone else. Furthermore, no one looks good when a conflict is taken to a higher-up, no matter who is proven to be "right" or "wrong."

Conflict resolution is not always easy, but it is often necessary. Instead of fighting and making your conflicts worse, learn how to solve them.