Managing Workplace Conflicts

Managing Workplace Conflicts.

Interpersonal conflicts are bound to arise when people work together.

Studies show that 95% of employees admit that they’ve experienced conflicts with colleagues in last 5 years.

These can lead to undesirable outcomes like toxic environment, lower productivity, poor decision making.

A survey published in New York Times showed that conflicts between health  workers resulted in 71% poor behaviour & medical errors and even 27% to
patient deaths (tragic if true).

None of us is perfect when it comes to human relationships

Even seasoned corporate veterans tend to focus on short term goals of ego & reputation rather than the long term goal of collaboration.

Some principles can help us build interpersonal resilience.

1. Understanding that there are different perspectives – we bring
different values & viewpoints to our work.

It’s not realistic to expect that my boss, peers and reportees will see eye to eye.

Most of us tend to believe that we’re seeing things objectively &  other is biased.

It’s important to challenge this gut reaction.

Ask questions like:
What if I’m wrong?
How would my behavior change? How would people with different experiences see things?

2. Acknowledge our biases
We tend to believe that other’s behaviour is more to do with their personality than the situation.

Whereas the reverse is true for ourselves.

Confirmation Bias also plays a role – tendency to believe things which conform to our way of thinking.

Or Affinity Bias – tendency to align with people similar to us.

One can play Devil’s Advocate with our own interpretation.
Or seek feedback from trusted persons.

3. Break out of the model of ‘Me versus Them’.

It helps to think there are 3 entities in the situation, not 2

Me, my colleague & the dynamics between us.

The third entity could be a common assignment or a common decision to be made etc.

It helps to work on the third entity to move forward rather than trying to change our colleague.

4. Know our goal and focus on it.

Do you want to complete the project?
Improve your relationship?
Feel less frustrated?

Your intentions will consciously or unconsciously determine how you react.

5. Venting frustration to others in side conversations or gossiping generally doesn’t help.

On the flip side, research shows that gossip can play a positive  role in bonding with coworkers & fostering a sense of connection, with the proviso that the intent is not malicious.

Do share other perspectives that you may have on resolving workplace conflicts.