Conflict is a natural part of human interaction and is bound to happen in any workplace. However, if left unresolved, it can lead to a decline in productivity, staff morale and customer satisfaction. In this blog post, we’ll explore the impact of workplace conflict and provide tips on how to handle it effectively through communication.

What is Conflict?

Conflict is the result of differences – in needs, values and motivations.

Each and every workplace is going to have a degree of conflict, it is the nature of us as human beings. It’s what makes the world interesting.

Conflict starts young – and it in itself isn’t a problem – it’s how we handle it that sets us apart. Generally in workplaces unresolved conflict festers. The longer that you let conflict go on in your workplace, the harder it is to resolve. The bigger the issues become and the more each party digs their heels in.

Why do you need to deal with conflict in your workplace?

Simply, conflict impacts productivity. It takes time and energy – yours, the staff members involved and quite possibly customers and/or suppliers could be drawn into it. This is time and energy that your staff (and yourself) could be spending on building your business.

Symptoms of workplace conflict:

• Increases in sick leave taken
• Tasks being forgotten about and not completed
• Drop in staff productivity
• Increase in customer complaints
• Increase in staff turnover
• Deadlines not met
• Decline in new business

Communication

Communication is generally the root cause of all conflict. Or to be more precise, lack of communication. This scenario sums it up perfectly:

“There are two people in a kitchen. There is only one orange left and both of them want it. They cut it in half”.

Sounds like a great solution doesn’t it?

They just cut the orange in half. When you really look at their needs for the orange though, it was a poor solution:

“One now goes and tries to juice half the orange and barely has enough to fill a quarter of the glass. The other needed the rind for a cake. Now neither has enough orange to do either task”.

Had they discussed their needs and reasons, they would have realised their needs were complimentary, not conflicting.

How do you do this in the workplace, when faced with conflict, ask questions like:

• What is your ideal outcome?
• Do you have any ideas on a solution that would suit you?
• What is important to you here?

Have a think about the following:

• Why are good communication skills essential to your role?
• How can proactive communication stop conflict from occurring?
• What are you currently doing well with communication with your team?

By proactively addressing conflict and communicating effectively, you can create a workplace culture that values open dialogue and collaborative problem-solving. This will lead to improved productivity, staff satisfaction, and a better overall working environment. Remember to ask questions, listen actively, and strive to understand others' perspectives. With these communication skills, you can effectively prevent and handle workplace conflict.

Our accredited mediator, Deanne Baker, can help with any of your workplace grievances that require some outside assistance to meet a resolution. Contact Phoebe Kitto to find out more today!

t. 0438 735 926

e. phoebe@hrdynamics.com.au