by Glenn Magas

Created on: February 17, 2010

They say, ‘a man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still’. That being said, conflicts at work should be avoided at all costs. This may be the case in a perfect world, but it is inevitable that a conflict in the workplace will arise.

Normal conflicts usually end negatively. The two parties in conflict will always lose. Even if one party or person wins an argument that person loses. Why? Because the other person will still think he or she is right. Even though they might not be accurate.

Managing conflict in the workplace, if one arises, should be done with tact and with respect for the other person’s opinion(s). It is fine to have disagreements and healthy discussions, but the willingness to accept another opinion, even if it is not of your own, is the most important goal to avoid and manage a conflict in the workplace.

Be the first to admit that you may be wrong or that other people may disagree with you, and that often times you have been wrong, but state your beliefs and support it without being defensive or attacking another person. It is incredibly difficult to continue an argument with someone who is already accepting the fact that they may be wrong or may just have a different opinion others may not agree on.

It is important to speak honestly, give and receive constructive feedback, and use mediation skills to help others find common ground when there is a conflict at work. Both parties will always be right – in their head – but may be inaccurate. So a winner is not the goal, managing a conflict through mediation skills even if you are involved in the conflict, should be the focus. This opens the lines of communication and allows for opinions to be shared.

Maintaining emotional control when you manage conflicts in the workplace is probably incredibly important step but incredibly difficult. Learning anger management, knowing different ways to provide positive responses, and creating dialogue to discuss the issue while maintaining control can keep a conflict at work from escalating.

A conflict can encourage growth and awareness for the individuals involved as well. But the conflict should be turned into a productive dialogue of productivity and efficiency. This can create a win-win situation in the workplace and, if a conflict is unavoidable, create the possibilities of learning more and improving the workplace.

Approaching an avoidable conflict in this manner can lead to collaborative solutions versus a dysfunctional team.  It can create fresh perspectives on a situation instead of fostering a negative atmosphere where conflicts are not handled well; which can lead to destructive behaviors and the lack of motivation in the workplace.

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