Conflict is an integral part of life. Everyone gets into it – with siblings, parents, classmates and even colleagues. However, it’s not a good part of life as the disadvantages of engaging in one are numerous. It slows down progress in any given society. The goal of conflict is to understand ourselves better and forge a way to live in harmony in the future.
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In this article, I examine conflict in the workplace and how best it can be managed and
resolved in 7 steps.
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Identify The Source Of Conflict
Identifying the source of a conflict is the first step towards resolving it. In doing so, no sides must be taken and no one must be blamed for the cause. The goal is to resolve it and not to trade blames. Identify the gap in communication and fill it up. Let the conflicting parties present their matters until the conflict is well understood.
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Find A Private Place To Talk
Another approach towards resolving a conflict is finding a private place to discuss the issue. Let this place be far from the place of conflict, it must be quiet and conducive for discussion and must be a neutral ground. The implications of choosing a neutral place outside the space of conflict are to help both parties take necessary risks for honest and open communication and to boost confidence.
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Listen Attentive And Take Note Of Every Testimony
After a safe and private place have been secured, let each of them air their views and thoughts about the matter of contention. Before they speak there must set of moderators who will set the rules of engagement to avoid another eruption. Then each should be given ample time to lay out their complaints.
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Investigate The Situation
Don’t judge based on what you’ve heard. Take time to do some digging, resort to questioning eyewitnesses concerning the matter and know their opinions about the conflict and the warring parties. Privately discussed with those involved in the conflict and understand their points clearly. You can identify the underlying triggers of the conflict.
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Find A Common Ground Of Agreement/Interest
When managing conflict processes, you need to identify a common ground for all involved. Having made the necessary investigations into the causes of the conflict and listened to all involved, find a base for a common goal. Invite the conflicting parties, observers and witnesses for a meeting where solutions can be figured out. It’s advisable to explore all options until everyone is satisfied.
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Establish Resolutions And MoU Governing the End Of The Conflict
In order to see that the conflict is well managed and resolved, the conflicting parties must be made to understand their roles in ensuring that the conflict doesn’t occur again. Everyone must be made to abide by reached resolutions.
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Evaluate How Everyone Faring During The Post-Conflict Period And Put In Place Preventive Measures
Don’t presume the storm is over. Find out how the parties involved are getting along. Ensure that effective communication is ongoing and organisational goals are being met, and there’s no trace of re-eruption of conflict.
Furthermore, lessons from conflict ought to be learnt and preventive measures put in place. Deterrent measures are to be adopted to avoid future occurrences.
Conclusion
Conflict is a natural life phenomenon. It helps us understand each other, and can be used effectively to build harmony among people of different persuasions. We have conflict in our
workplace due to several factors stemming from divergent worldviews, but any conflict stemming from toxicity, bullying, sexual abuse should be reported to the state law enforcing agencies.
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