Reducing instances of conflict in the workplace is often an overlooked goal. It’s only when it’s too late that managers and colleagues seek out resolution techniques for a conflict already in the works. In this article you’ll find common conflict triggers workplace employers can be aware of to mitigate the likelihood of conflict and its negative impacts.
Free Consultation for Team TrainingConflict Triggers Workplace Staff and Management Should Look For
What causes conflict in the workplace? Knowing this can help keep disputes and disagreements manageable, limiting their impacts on morale, productivity, and profits. Let’s take a look at some conflict triggers workplace employers should be on alert for.
Poor Communication
Conflict can arise when people don’t feel like they can express themselves effectively without some repercussions, even if those repercussions are to be ignored. Conflict easily breeds when communication is lacking or it gets heated too quickly, so make sure issues are being discussed as they arise in a respectful and solution-focused tone. Steps to resolve conflict in the workplace here include offering some training to all employees so they can learn and implement communication skills that keep conflict at bay.
Ineffective Management
When employees feel hovered over by their managers, their stress increases and they feel pressure to justify their every move. High-stress environments are a hotbed for conflict in the workplace because everyone starts to feel overwhelmed with expectations and underwhelmed with resources, autonomy, and understanding. Conversely, when employees feel as though their mangers are M.I.A. and not stepping in to handle their responsibilities, conflict can easily seep in through the cracks. This is one of those conflict triggers workplaces have a hard time dealing with because the power lies with management. If a manager isn’t willing to adapt to the needs of the team, employees will have a hard time keeping their cool when the pressure goes up.
Job Ambiguity
Not having a clear understanding of your role, the expectations that come with it, and the consequences that will arise in the event the job isn’t done can all lead to an increase in stress and miscommunication. Team members who are expected to work together on assignments but aren’t quite sure what they’re expected to do can lead to an interpersonal dispute between them. To ensure coworker conflict resolution is accessible for all employees, ensure that misunderstandings or ambiguous expectations are cleared up as soon as they’re spotted.
Culture of Harassment
Cultivating a healthy company culture is an important task for managers. Without such, harassing, bullying, and discriminating behaviors can become normalized or at least permissible. Under these dynamics conflict becomes a matter of when, not if. Strategies to prevent conflict in the workplace here can include cultivating a company culture that accounts for everyone, and follows local and federal discrimination laws.
Acknowledging all conflict triggers workplace employees face every day isn’t easy, so if you’re in charge of a team and need help ensuring your culture and communication are up to the task, get professional support. Contact Pollack Peacebuilding Systems today to get the right solutions for your team.
