MANAGEMENT SKILLS - Steps to Managing Conflict

Steps to Managing Conflict

by Arnold Anderson, Demand Media

Conflict in the workplace can be counter-productive. If it is not addressed properly, then any small conflict can grow into an ongoing larger problem. There are steps to follow when managing conflict that, when executed properly, can help to determine the reason for the conflict and determine a resolution.

Address It Immediately

Do not allow conflict to persist. Once you are made aware of a conflict, begin the process of addressing it immediately. Allowing a conflict to continue unabated only makes the problem worse because it will grow until the point where it is a serious problem.

Importance

Sometimes a workplace conflict is an unimportant argument between two employees, in other cases it can be a major disagreement between two departments. You need to interview all parties involved in the conflict, and determine if it is something that is worth pursuing, or if it can be resolved quickly on its own. This is a judgment call on your part, and you should collect as much data as possible to make the correct decision.

Discuss It

Before bringing the parties into one room together to try to resolve the conflict, you should speak to each party privately and try to determine the reason for the problem. Each party may offer their own perspective on the reason for the conflict, so you will need to look at each side separately, determine the core reason for the conflict and what each side would consider a resolution.

Analyze Data

Take a look at the information you have collected from both sides and formulate what you perceive to be a fair resolution. Get input from other people, such as the human resources department and a third-party manager whose opinion you value. The resolution you come up with needs to be fair to both sides and fair to the company.

Resolve the Conflict

You need to bring all the parties together and present your resolution to the conflict. Be sure that you have laid out detailed reasons as to why you have come up with that particular resolution. Point out to each party what they stand to gain from your idea, and why the resolution is fair.