Navigating the Storm: Mastering Employee Conflict in the Workplace
Not everyone’s going to be your friend at work, and that’s okay. But it doesn’t give anyone a free pass to insult, attack or belittle. Workplace conflict can feel like a stormy sea—wild, intense, and intimidating. Fear not! With the right strategies, you can steer your ship to calm waters.
Recognise the Conflict Early: Spotting trouble before it strikes is key. Look out for signs like sinking morale, rising absenteeism, or tension you can cut with a knife. Catching these early signals lets you tackle issues before they blow up into full-blown storms. In our experience, if you ignore them and hope it will all sort itself out, it usually comes back and bites you on the bum!
Promote Open Communication: Create a workplace where speaking up is encouraged. Regular check-ins and feedback sessions build a culture of trust. Having been involved in many cases over the years, we understand that when employees feel heard without fear of judgment, they’re more likely to nip minor issues in the bud before they escalate.
Mediate with Neutrality: When conflicts do arise, step in as a neutral party. Don’t take sides; aim to understand all perspectives. Organise mediation sessions where everyone can speak freely. Whilst you may have your own opinions, in these situations it is their perceptions that matter and we believe this clarifies misunderstandings and shows you value every viewpoint.
Encourage Collaborative Problem-Solving: Promote teamwork to resolve conflicts. Encourage employees to brainstorm solutions together. This not only solves the current issue but strengthens team bonds and hones their problem-solving skills.
Lead by Example: Be the embodiment of effective conflict management. Show patience, empathy, and fairness in your interactions. Many training sessions with leaders provides us with the confidence that when leaders model these behaviours, it sets a powerful example for the entire team.
Follow Up: Don’t just address conflicts and move on—follow up! Ensure the solutions are working and that no lingering issues remain. As a manager, you just want the problem sorted and to be able to move on – we get it! However, regular check-ins show you’re committed to a harmonious work environment and care about employee well-being.
Conflict is a given in any workplace, but it doesn’t have to sink your ship. By being proactive, fostering open communication, and championing collaboration, you can transform conflicts into opportunities for growth and innovation. Human nature is that people don’t like conflict so they run away from it and we frequently work with clients to unravel the mess afterwards. We’ve also delivered training to line managers on conflict in the workplace; this training has provided them with the confidence to tackle issues early on. Upskilling your managers to handle conflict is not only beneficial to them and their own development but equally as important to your organisation as when issues are nipped in the bud, you have happy people and they are more productive.
If you would like to discuss this or any other HR matters please do get in contact at: enquiries@p2hr.co.uk