The interactive nature of the workplace makes it ripe for conflict. Knowing how to navigate these situations regardless of how they crop up is essential for a business leader. Contrary to popular belief, common sense alone isn’t enough. According to Richard Birke, a leading voice in conflict resolution, very few people study how to negotiate and manage conflict effectively because of the assumption that they can intuitively react as needed. In reality, this can only lead to further complications.
Conflict resolution training is the best learning path, but you can refer to widely accessible resources like vetted books and digital materials. Leaders on the go can visit a digital library Everand and check out its rich collection of career and growth ebooks, including many leadership titles that dive into workplace conflict and communication specifics. Among the most read and well-reviewed by users is the Heaths’ The Power of Moments, which provides excellent insight into what affects people based on their background and how you can connect with them to make moments richer. Of course, there are plenty of other titles to consider. If you’re looking to master the art of resolving conflict in your business, then build your digital library with these reads.
1. The New One Minute Manager
By Ken Blanchard and Spencer Johnson, MD
As the title implies, this book is a quick and easy way to jumpstart your journey as a better leader. It goes into three key principles to serve as your basics, but it never feels like it lacks depth. The very first iteration of this book was released decades ago and has since remained one of the most long-lasting references you can still turn to when dealing with effective team management. Naturally, you’ll want the New variant for updated advice fit for the modern market.
Bite-sized and actionable advice makes this book a great tool for developing the ground skillset necessary to resolve conflict. The entire concept that ties this guide together is that sacred minute. You don’t need more than 60 seconds (give or take) to communicate with your team in an effective yet human way, especially when you’re trying to put out fires before they become extensive problems.
2. Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life: Life-Changing Tools for Healthy Relationships
By Marshall B. Rosenberg
When you’re in a position of influence, how you perceive and communicate ultimately dictates the practices of your workforce. Famed psychologist Marshall Rosenberg’s book, with a compelling foreword by Deepak Chopra, explores the power and feasible integration of nonviolent communication. By enabling readers to better understand the feelings, relationships, and nuances of motivation around them, this book can potentially give them a better chance at tackling conflicts nonjudgmentally.
When dealing with multiple parties in a dispute, impartiality and sound judgment are vital in bringing both sides to a peaceful conclusion. The conflict resolution tools in this book are especially helpful when dealing with difficult people at work, using many principles from Pollack’s training programs and trusted techniques.
3. 7 Winning Conflict Resolution Techniques
By Gerard Shaw
Gerard Shaw has long proclaimed himself a major introvert. He has the distinct experience of having to address tough situations and needing to build communication skills beyond the comforts of introversion. Shaw aims to bridge this gap in a simplified manner, streamlining everything you need to know into 7 Winning Conflict Resolution Techniques.
The main proponent of mastering nonviolent and effective communication is recognizing conflicts in various situations and resolving them. Conflicts may not always manifest in the same way, which is why growing your emotional intelligence and managing your impulses are crucial to any resolution. This book serves as a guide to doing exactly that and even turning conflict into a direct positive for everyone involved.
4. Crucial Conversations (Third Edition)
By Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler, Kerry Patterson, and Emily Gregory
Last but not least, Crucial Conversations is a highly collaborative effort that has been a bestseller since its first iteration in 2002. Leaders in various industries reference Crucial Conversations because of its revolutionary yet practical approach to conflict resolution. When the stakes are high, and it all falls on you, you will need to perfect the craft of persuasive dialogue and efficient response regardless of who you are addressing or what the source of discord may be.
Notably, a recent study on conflict at work conducted by The Myers-Briggs Company found a sharp increase in workplace conflict across the board. The number one cause is poor communication, which, on average, forces managers to spend more than four hours a week dealing with the ensuing disputes. Thankfully, the third edition of Crucial Conversations, released in 2022, has updated advice to deal with digital mediums and the lag time in identifying problems within this sphere.
