Workplace conflicts are inevitable in any business. Managing them is important for the harmony of the business and morale of the team. You being a leader, will be expected to manage these workplace conflicts and find an effective solution and settle the unrest caused by it.
1) Acknowledge them first
Accepting there is a problem, is the first step in finding a solution to that problem. Your team will likely be more cooperative and productive if they know that their grievances will be taken seriously by the management. Sometimes it may be you or the management that would be a part of conflict. Acknowledge them no matter what.
2) Listen to both the sides
Being a leader, you should never take sides ever or at least before you hear both the sides of the argument. Both side may have valid points, see if those points stand by the morale and ethics of your business. Enquire all those involved and collect more information before you proceed further.
3) Negotiate
Negotiate with the people on the issue. Get suggestions and ideas for action from them itself. Don’t discriminate or show bias to any side. Encourage each other to see the dispute in others perspective. It will help in understanding and negotiating the problem better. Transparency is paramount in communication and decision making to reach the solution.
4) Find a Solution
Your First objective should be being to mediate the people involved in the conflicts to find a resolution between themselves. If thing don’t settle there, then you have to step in and make a decision at the earliest as possible to resolve these conflicts. Establish a framework for conflicts like these and the steps in finding the solution for the future.
5) Prevent further conflicts
Make sure everyone involved, feel the problem has been settled once and for all and it is not to repeat. Also see to that they have move passed the issue in time and working in harmony. Every conflict is a learning opportunity and defining movement for a company’s work culture.
