Whether your organization is large or small, there are some typical conflicts in the workplace that happen just about everywhere. Disagreements over something simple can escalate until work has stopped being a peaceful environment for anyone. Conflict must be addressed even if you’d rather ignore it.
If conflict in the workplace is mishandled, it can lead to absenteeism, poor productivity and low morale. When you handle conflicts the right way, it helps everyone involved become more peaceful and productive. Here are some examples of typical conflicts in the workplace:
Free Consultation for Workplace ConflictMiscommunication Caused an Error
There are times that collaboration is needed, but efforts to collaborate aren’t working. Instructions may be misunderstood, or steps may have been left out causing an error. The staff members involved in the miscommunication each blame the other which breaks down communication even further.
To handle this type of communication, talk to both employees at the same time. Brainstorm where communication broke down, what needs to be done to fix the error and how similar errors can be avoided. Set clear expectations for future interactions.
Personality Clash
The workplace is a place where people come together from very different backgrounds and life experiences. Each person has his own personality, beliefs and work style, but there may be clashes, especially from people who are very different from one another.
What can you do about two staff members with a personality clash? It’s important to stay neutral and not choose sides. Allow each to share their side of a dispute without interruption by the other. This gives you a way to find out whether the real issue goes deeper than personality.
A professional mediator outside your company may be the best person to handle differences based on a personality clash. You still have to clearly communicate behavior that won’t be tolerated. They may not have to like each other, but they do have to work together in a civil and respectful way.
Work Processes Aren’t Working
Conflicts over work processes are fairly common and many can be resolved without intervention. The root of the problem may be differing work styles, or different interpretations of procedures or expectations. If there are staff shortages or overwhelming workloads, tempers can be short and team members may get into disputes over dividing up resources. If deadlines are missed, team members may try to place the blame on each other.
If things start to escalate, the best solution is to get together and discuss where hurdles or roadblocks are coming up and how they might be avoided in the future. Brainstorm possible solutions. When team members are involved in coming up with solutions rather than having changes dictated to them, they’re more likely to be willing to work toward getting past the issues.
Resistance to Change
People can get comfortable doing things the way they’ve always been done, and when change happens, their determination to resist change can be a source of conflict. One form of change people frequently resist is when one team member gets a promotion over others who may think they deserved it
There’s no doubt that change can be stressful. Changes to the organization involving procedures are less disruptive if team members are given resources and support to navigate the change. One way to handle conflicts because of change involving the promotion of one individual but not another is to provide other team members opportunities for future growth.
When conflicts in the workplace are getting worse instead of better, it may be time to consider expert conflict resolution services. To work with experts in restoring a peaceful work environment, reach out to Pollack Peacebuilding Systems.
