Over eighty percent of employees have experienced a confrontation with a co-worker.
What do you think is a major reason for conflict at work?
If you guessed people not knowing how to interact with each other; due
to not understanding the different personalities of their co-workers, then you were
right. Communication is a vital social skill to possess, which you will always need in
both your professional and personal life. Knowing how to communicate effectively
allows you to have healthy relationships and
enhances your opportunities in life.
However, when many of us are confronted at work we initially respond to what is being
said, instead of questioning the other person’s intentions. I know it is a lot easier said,
than done. As a result, numerous employees experience some aspect of conflict at
work?
One way of limiting workplace conflict is for management to get involved in resolving
disputes. Also, companies can provide training on how to handle disagreements for
employees. Taking these steps will help to reduce strife at work and promote more
favorable results, such as:
Employees learn how to understand personality types and how to communicate
successfully with their workmates.
Relationships are improved between colleagues, increasing problem resolution and
productivity.
Employees’ creativity is heightened when performing their duties.
Unpleasant situations can occur when nothing is done to reduce arguments between
co-workers. For instance, an employee may become discontent in their job and leave
the company. Or worse yet, they could be harassed or caused bodily harm. If the
problem continues between various employees, then a morale issue can develop within
the company.
Conflicts drawn out among fellow workers can trigger added complications; such as,
stress for the employee.
Stress Reduction Techniques
You Can Use Now
How are you dealing with stress caused by conflict at work? Long-term consistent
stress relief increases your chances of healthier living, more than short-term relief.
Dealing with fights on top of your job responsibilities can be overpowering causing you
to feel more stressed. As a result, you could become upset or quick-tempered causing
you to offend someone. You may wonder how to manage your stress and deal with
your harsh working conditions.
Here are a few basic stress reduction techniques for relieving tension and dealing with
strife:
Plan, prioritize, and manage your tasks and time.
Keep a well-organized work space, which allows more efficient use of your time
because you are able to locate things more quickly and easily and it helps you to
think more clearly.
Do not volunteer or commit to pointless additional responsibilities at work or home
that you know will drain you and cause anxiety. Learn to say no. Once your
workload decreases, then you may want to take on these duties.
Make sure that you prioritize extra duties by significance, which are assigned to you
by
your manager. Do not pressure yourself to get everything done
at the same time.
Maintain self-control when confronted by a fellow worker and try to understand their
perspective, before reacting.
Keep the discussion brief with someone who is speaking rudely to you, let them
know once they are calm you will be cooperative in continuing the conversation.
If they continue to push their point, then you may want to walk away. You can
approach the person later to finish talking about the issue, once they are less
perturbed.
Remember that it is essential to your health and happiness to find balance in your life.
One way of doing this is to identify your major stressors and remain dedicated over a
long-term period to reduce what is causing you tension at work or home. In doing so,
will benefit you the most.
Conflict Resolution Techniques
Can Improve Your Relationships
Learning how to solve disputes improves your communication skills and teaches you
how to better understand others.
When managers participate and employees learn how to resolve arguments at work it
brings value to both the employee and business. Some of the benefits of learning
conflict resolution techniques are increased awareness of self and other’s point of view
and feelings. Additionally it refines your communication skills, creating the opportune
situation for you to reach a solution or agreement with the other person.
Businesses are victorious when employees possess the skills for solving disputes. Some
of the benefits companies enjoy are a greater bottom line, operations are more cost-
effective, and employees are happier which decreases staff turnover.
If you have an existing conflict at work or home and need support in resolving it, then
can be of value to you.
