Hardly a rare occurrence, conflict in the workplace, no
matter the company culture, is not such a rare thing. The stress of working
together with people in the office will inevitably cause tension and
disagreements, after all, most people see their colleagues far more than they
see their family and friends during the week.
Resolution of conflicts and the way that the situation is
handled is important in ensuring that the professional environment at work is
retained.
Here’s how to handle conflict with co-workers in the best
possible way.
1. Address it as soon as possible
Most issues start off as small and build up into bigger ones
because they are not addressed on time. If you notice that there is a problem,
take it up with your coworker so that it doesn’t grow. However, if you have a
sudden argument, it’s best to wait until you have both calmed down before
attempting to resolve the issue.
2. Avoid office gossip
Office gossip often leads to even more conflict, so avoid
speaking about the problem with other colleagues. Firstly, its unprofessional
and secondly, unfair to the person that you have the conflict with. If you need
to blow off some steam, rather do it at home with family or friends.
3. Strategize your conflict resolution
Firstly, organize to meet and talk about the issue somewhere
privately and in a face-to-face conversation. Don’t start by jumping straight
into what caused the argument, but look for something positive to agree on,
e.g. you both want to ensure a good working environment.
You will need to keep an open mind, otherwise, you may not
find common ground. You must be prepared to listen without interrupting how
your coworker also feels. Ask questions with respect.
When its time to have your say, make sure that you stay calm
and avoid any emotional outbreaks. If your colleague is hostile, don’t be
tempted to act unprofessionally.
If all else fails, especially if you are dealing with bias,
then you should not hesitate to take the conflict to the HR department.
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