by Vilie Farah

Created on: February 09, 2010

For many, the significant amount of time spent at the office turns the place into a second home. We all know how unpleasant work can become whenever a conflict occurs.

It might sometimes be difficult to handle conflict at the workplace. You need to get actively involved, otherwise the situation is likely to aggravate. Have in mind that disagreements and disputes are likely to take place on a daily basis. Involvement is needed whenever the disagreement goes way beyond good tone and threatens to hurt the atmosphere of mutual respect and understanding at the office.

* Never take sides *
Understand that taking sites, if you are not directly involved in a conflict, will change the feelings that some colleagues have for you.

Try to be neutral and search for a compromise that will satisfy both parties involved. If asked to support either group decline. Look for a solution rather than for expression of your belonging to a particular clique.

Help colleagues in clarifying issues and starting a discussion. Sometimes, blinded by anger, people fail seeing what is obvious for a side observer. Try to initiate dialogue.

* Act as a mediator *
When colleagues get involved in a conflict, they often need an impartial mediator to help them in finding a resolution.

Offer your help. Try to provoke parties involved to express their positions. Encourage dialogue and the desire to find compromise. Make sure that everyone’s point of view gets heard and considered.

What is most important is to get that discussion going. Ask the necessary questions and encourage people to contribute to the debate. Once conflicting sides start talking, the solution will eventually emerge.

* Only business, nothing personal *
Some people have difficulty keeping personal issues separate from their professional life. Often, when work conflict occurs, individuals take it personally and feel greatly offended.

Remember that all activities taking place at the office are strictly professional. Emotions and personal feelings have no place in the office atmosphere. When a conflict occurs, a professional solution should be sought.

Try to distance yourself from anger and hatred whenever dealing with a workplace conflict. Deal with the issue as part of your work tasks. It has nothing to do with individuality, it involves purely work and professional characteristics.

* Acknowledge the fact that you might be wrong *
If involved in a conflict, most people have difficulty backing down and acknowledging that they were wrong. Such confessions harm the ego and confidence of professionals.

Understand that being part of an efficient team will sometimes involve confessing that you were wrong. Holding on to your position stubbornly can do no good. Everyone makes mistakes. Admitting one will not be considered a setback.

Knowing how to apologize and back down is an art that you need to master. This is an essential part of conflict resolution but never turn it into a habit. If you are certain about your position hold on to it and do your best to support it with evidence.

* Listen *
Sometimes, all it takes to resolve a conflict is to listen. When trying to prove that we are right, most of us fail taking into consideration other points of view.

When involved in a conflict, or when asked to mediate one, listen carefully to all opinions stated. Try to get in everyone’s shoes. Understanding what someone else strives for can be useful for finding a solution.

Internalize what is being said and try to make sense of it. Even if it turns out to be difficult, attempt to be impartial and solution-oriented. There is some truth to all opinions stated. Examine all information carefully before making the final decision.

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