Math, science, literature, and history are all subjects that schools focus their attention on, but social skills, conflict resolution, and communication skills aren’t typically things we get a formal education on. This can lead to distress in adult situations that require skills we just don’t have. Managing conflict in an organization through communication is one of the best ways to not only handle a current conflict but to prevent future ones and improve overall productivity and workplace morale.
Managing Conflict in an Organization Through Communication
In busy work environments, good communication can feel like a luxury no one has time for. This can become problematic in many ways, including setting poor expectations, creating misunderstandings about who was responsible for what, and, of course, creating conflict between employees and/or managers. Managing conflict in an organization through communication that’s respectful, inclusive, and clear can change all that.
Respect Personal Differences
Just because you may share a role or project with a colleague doesn’t mean you’re the same person with the same personality traits. Humans are different, and usually, if you look for ways to make that beneficial to the job, you’ll find the positives in the positives in the differences. Watch if you’re growing irritated with a colleague because of how they act differently than you. Instead, try to recognize their strengths and how your differences can work together. Establishing a company culture that normalizes inclusion, diversity, and effective communication can help reduce the need for communication and conflict resolution in the workplace.
Learn how to Listen
When trying to figure out how to resolve disputes between employees, you might be surprised to learn that one of your biggest efforts can come by way of listening rather than saying the right thing. Communication requires both giving and receiving information and sometimes we can be hearing someone speak without really listening to what they’re saying. It’s common to find yourself preparing a response while someone else speaks, being distracted by other thoughts or nearby devices, or jumping to conclusions without taking the time to understand what’s really being said. Building listening skills can up the ante at work and at home and demonstrate some serious leadership skills. Soon you’ll be helping to prevent conflict in the workplace by managing conflict in an organization through communication.
Ask When You Don’t Understand
Asking for clarity can sometimes feel stressful. You may be worried that you’re asking one of those infamous “dumb questions” that you should already know the answer to, or you might not want to ask because it might look better if you took action and figured it out on your own. But not asking for clarity when you need it can lead to an increase in stress and a higher chance that you’re missing the mark on your end of the deal. Always ask when you’re not sure so that you can learn and communicate more effectively while avoiding potential conflict in the workplace.
Managing conflict in an organization through communication can be difficult if everyone on the team is starting from somewhere different. But communication is a necessary skill to grow in order to limit negative experiences at work. Reach out to support from the experts who know how to put good communication into action. Contact Pollack Peacebuilding Systems today to get the right solutions for your team.
