Conflict refers to a disagreement or argument, which can arise in various circumstances and settings, including the workplace. When there is conflict, it’s important to understand how to navigate and resolve it.
To successfully resolve conflicts, you’ll often need to read both verbal and nonverbal communication cues, to remain calm and control your emotions and work to understand the position of the conflicting parties.
In this article, we take a look at seven specific conflict resolution skills that can help to de-escalate a conflict and resolve matters, examples of conflict in the workplace and how to resolve a conflict in 10 steps.
What is conflict resolution?
Conflicts in the workplace can sometimes arise when two or more parties have different objectives, opinions or styles. Conflict resolution is the art of addressing those differences and finding a common ground that enables everyone to work together peacefully.
Sometimes, the person who resolves a conflict may be a neutral party or mediator, while at other times they may be someone involved in the conflict who takes an outside perspective to find a solution.
The skill to resolve conflicts
The ability to resolve conflicts is often seen as a leadership trait. People who can identify conflicts and pinpoint the cause, acknowledge different opinions and build a consensus are valuable to many organizations. They make it more likely for personal differences to be set aside so work can continue.