Professionalism 101 Series:

Navigating Workplace Conflict

Managing conflict in the workplace can be difficult, but there are a number of techniques you can employ: keep your cool and act professionally: While handling a quarrel at work, it's critical to keep your cool and act professionally. Avoid being irate or upset because doing so will just worsen the situation and make it harder to resolve. Take a close listen: pay close attention to the issues raised by each party involved in the dispute. Attempt to comprehend their viewpoints and the driving forces behind their actions. Putting yourself in their shoes and acting calmly is the best way to solve workplace conflict! Some key things to remember would be:

Keep an open mind and be respectful: It can be difficult to come to a decision with someone who is closed off and not willing to accept the idea of coming to a different conclusion. Thus, make sure both parties know that it is you working together to fix a potential problem: it is not you versus your co-worker!

Effective Communication: While speaking with others, be direct and concise in your language. To communicate your thoughts and feelings, use "I" words rather than accusatory or blaming language. In addition, communicating in person is ideal since different tones and sarcasm may not be properly interpreted through email. 

Locate Common Ground: Try to find areas of agreement amongst the other co-worker. Attempt to pinpoint situations where you can identify areas of agreement and use these as a springboard for conflict resolution.

Ask for Assistance if Necessary: If the situation is extremely problematic and you are unable to resolve the disagreement by yourself, ask a manager, HR representative, or mediator for assistance. These people can offer direction and help find a solution.

Overall, conflict in the office is unavoidable, but how you handle it can have a big impact on your workplace culture. You can negotiate workplace disputes and keep good connections with your coworkers by being composed, open minded, communicating clearly, and looking for common ground.

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