9 Ways to Prevent Workplace Conflict
According to a Research Study • People employed in an office or a manufacturing unit spend most of their lives in the workplace until retirement. If the work environment is not free from stress, the employees may not give their maximum attention to the job at hand. Besides, no one wants to work in a stressful environment. • The main reason for dissatisfaction at the workplace is because of incidents that trigger negative impact or conflict between coworkers. According to a research study, one in four workers experience inconsistency in implementing the policies; one in five workers experience problems communicating with their reporting officials or coworkers. • Most of the workers want to be in a positive workplace that is healthy, supportive, trusting, and appreciate workers for their part in the organisation's success. Let us now look into some ways that will help to prevent workplace conflicts and maintain a positive work environment:
Being positive • Anyone who wants to work in a positive environment, must first have a positive attitude. Your positive attitude will protect you from people who misbehave. In an organisation, positive people handle stress, challenges, and anxiety better than others.
Recognising personality clashes • According to a report by a personality consultancy, 49% of workplace conflicts happen due to personality clashes. In an office, it is difficult to avoid people due to disagreements of opinions and ideas. It is always good to value working with everyone despite the difference of opinion. Further, it will be difficult for the management personnel to resolve problems because of personality clashes.
Communicating Respectfully • Communicating with your team members and others respectfully will prevent workplace conflicts. Learning to treat others as you want others to treat you is good to avoid workplace conflicts. People will oblige to requests rather than harsh instructions. Convey messages through emails politely. It is always good to be clear and precise in your communication.
Preventing emotional manipulation • In some organisations, people manipulate others to get work done using emotions. This probably leads to blame-shifting or arguments or resentment among employees. If you happen to meet someone like that in your organisation, walk away from them. • Tell them clearly that you are not ready to listen. It will help you to avoid unnecessary conflicts and provide your role to maintain a better working environment.
Knowing what is important • Disagreements develop even from trivial issues. Minor disagreements between members of a team may sometimes trigger unnecessary arguments and accusations. As squabbles occur commonly, they must be forgotten then and there, and not taken personally.
Identifying Sources of Conflicts • To resolve conflicts, we must first identify the source of conflict. Feeling desperate when your effort goes unappreciated may lead to workplace conflict. When someone other than you takes the credit for what you have done, it may lead to workplace conflict. • Frustration occurs with employees when they find their coworkers received financial benefits or promotions much earlier than they received. It can also lead to jealousy when others feel it is unfair to give such benefits to them.
Acting Faster • In workplaces, where we cannot avoid conflicts, it is better to address conflicts in the initial stage itself. Before unnecessary stress builds up in the workplace, you must analyse the issue and get it resolved. With the help of the management personnel, interact with your team members and help them understand how such conflicts can destroy harmony and peace at the workplace and affect the overall production work.
Avoid carrying your personal problems • It is better not to allow your problems to affect your work efficiency. As an employee, you must focus on your career and fulfill professional requirements. If you want to work in a happy, healthy work environment, you must trust your colleagues and know how to approach the right person for work-related solutions.
Having a neutral approach • While resolving an issue related to workplace conflict, you must have a neutral approach. Maintain a neutral tone while speaking to the people involved. Help them understand how the situation might affect the healthy environment and create stress while at work. • For management personnel, workplace conflicts bring in much stress. Ignore negative comments if your employees are not happy with the way you approached them or the solution you suggested. Have the patience to explain the actual issue and make them understand how it will affect the organisation
Avoid carrying your personal problems • It is better not to allow your problems to affect your work efficiency. As an employee, you must focus on your career and fulfill professional requirements. If you want to work in a happy, healthy work environment, you must trust your colleagues and know how to approach the right person for work-related solutions.
Conclusion • In an organisation, workplace conflicts will always be there. Sometimes, healthy workplace conflicts help to resolve problems in a better way. In tough situations, it is better to follow expert mediator tips to resolve workplace conflicts. • While analysing issues related to workplace conflicts, it gives a chance for the employees to understand the approach of the organisation and understand how it will help them resolve issues. • Healthy workplace conflict always helps to find a better solution to a problem and maintain a positive environment. Employees will be more engaged with their assigned tasks and work as a team for better results.