Strategies For Managing Workplace Conflicts
According to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, around one in three UK experiences conflicts at the workplace. This often results in a lack of motivation, and disengagement on the part of the employee. and if that demotivated employee is working in a high-performance setup like a startup or an organisation which works on the concept of billable hours, the cost to the company can take a fraction of the bottom line. Moreover, the cost to employee morale can make it a compounding problem for any company.
When working in an organisation, disagreements are common. Tight deadlines, demanding bosses or office politics, there could be an umpteen number of reasons. From creative differences to unmet expectations, any office setting has a number of stories to tell. However successful HR managers navigate through complex situations, where human emotion takes precedence over organisational goals, and work towards keeping organisational productivity and employee success.
For starters, it is essential to recognise that conflicts can emerge from various sources, including differences in opinions, past grievances and competition among employees if left unaddressed, conflicts stick like a sore thumb in the scheme of workplace dynamics and can lead to poor organisational culture riddled with anxious employees and confused bosses.
The Role of Leadership
The tone of an organisation’s culture is set at the top and choosing the right culture according to the diversity and demography of the workforce. Some organisations choose to keep the culture formal while others may opt for a lively Gen Z vibe at the workplace.
The leadership should focus on minimizing office politics while promoting a culture of open and transparent communication.
Leaders should not perceive office banter as harmful, as it often contributes to a collaborative and lively workplace. However, they should work to weed off unhealthy office politics, as it can stifle growth and create stagnation.
Effective Conflict Resolution Strategies
Acknowledge the Conflict: Is a team member behaving passive-aggressively off late, are there signs of emotional outbursts or repeatedly cutting someone short in an office meeting? A casual conversation sometimes escalates into ego issues. Watch out for early indicators before it gets too late.
Objectivity: When conflicts turn ugly, emotions can shoot up. A third-person perspective can help cool the situation down. Bringing a calm head and evaluating the conflict based on facts is the key.
Mediation: Leading companies like Google and IBM have their respective mediation and open-door policy programs. Such internal systems are meant to facilitate negotiation, collaboration and facilitate team engagement. The objective of such a mechanism is to nip the problem before it spirals into a serious conflict.
Effectively managing workplace conflicts is a critical skill for leaders and organisations. Leaders should play a pivotal role in nurturing a culture of trust that has room for banter while minimizing the negative aspects of office politics. By following humane and practical strategies and promoting healthy conflict resolution practices, organizations can create a more harmonious and productive work environment.
