While your job may not include any responsibilities around conflict or people-management, flexing your conflict resolution skills at work can benefit you in myriad ways. Some people have natural skills and competency around de-escalating tension, communicating fairly, and identifying solutions. If you see yourself in that description, you may want to consider putting those skills to work.
Conflict Resolution Skills at Work
Conflict between two employees can be scary whether you’re one of the employees or not. Getting involved is something that should be done carefully, neutrally, and with intention for solution, so if you find yourself excited about the drama or wanting to take sides, getting involved may not be the right step for you. However, if you are seeing a clear path to de-escalating conflict and helping out your 2 colleagues who are on the fast road to conflict, applying conflict resolution skills at work can prevent upper management from getting involved. Here are some other benefits:
1. Reduce Stress
If you have a demonstrated competency in conflict management and communication, you’re likely to experience reduced stress at work because if something contentious should arise, you know you can address it rather than having it overwhelm you. Being able to set boundaries, assert your needs, and own your missteps, all while remaining respectful to those around you is a great way to feel confident in relationships.
2. Improve Performance
With conflict no longer a frightening thing to catch you off guard, you can put more focus on the task at hand. This is one reason workplace conflict training and de-escalation training are recommended, so organizations can spend less time worrying about or navigating disputes and more time team-building, improving morale, and getting the job done.
3. Demonstrate Competency and Increase Trust
Increasing trust can be very helpful in personal and professional spaces and can act as an organic conflict prevention method. When trust exists between colleagues, emotions are less likely to create narratives about bad intentions. In other words, if you demonstrate trust and communication competency with your peers and managers, in an eventual tense moment, they may be less-likely to assume ill intention on your part and instead give you the benefit of the doubt. A dynamic where respect leads the path to solutions, anger doesn’t erupt, and there’s a willingness to repair relationships with business partners if escalation persists is helpful in the emotional stages of conflict and can prevent further escalation. It nurtures an environment where people can speak up as needed and don’t have to fear retaliation, therefore decreasing defensiveness and tension overall.
4. Advance to Leadership
Demonstrating the ability to de-escalate employee conflicts in the workplace can support your career path as well. Many organizations view people-management skills as prime for leadership roles, so if that’s something you want, allowing your managers to see your abilities can help get you there. In addition to your own career growth, you’ll also be contributing to a healthier team culture and become a reliable source for support in your area of expertise even when things are going smoothly.
Showing off your conflict resolution skills at work could help improve workplace morale and even improve your career advancement. If you want to increase your confidence with these skills, connect with neutral and experienced professionals who can teach you how to diffuse rather than ignite the tension at work. Contact Pollack Peacebuilding Systems today to get the right solutions for you.
