A manager’s worst nightmare: petty office drama. Have you experienced a scenario where gossip is making your staff members distracted? Or worse, counterproductive? A loss in productivity can seriously damage your bottom line, and is often not worth the trouble. To maximize the efficiency of your staff, you want to emphasize a supportive company culture, which means handling conflict effectively as soon as possible. If workplace conflict is dragging down your team, we’re here to show you how to handle conflict in the workplace effectively.
Insulate the Issue
One-on-one work conflicts don’t typically stay between those two individuals involved. Gossip can get out of hand, and even getting a mediary can complicate a dispute if not done correctly. Drama in the workplace often affects the entire company culture when it is not handled appropriately. To manage conflict at work, arrange a sit down with only the parties directly involved with the conflict. Give each person equal time to share their side of the story, and maintain a neutral position until you have all the information.
Keep It On the Books
It’s so important to have policies in place before you begin managing conflict in the workplace. It’s essential to maintain your professionalism and have a working knowledge of how to effectively counsel people through these issues. If you are not equipped to mediate a workplace conflict, find training resources or a qualified HR specialist to assist. Setting a precedent in your handbook for what employees should expect as conflict develops can help keep everyone accountable.
The Benefits of Resolved Conflicts
Some managers prefer not to roll up their sleeves and do the hard work related to mediation and talking through team struggles. However, if you’re willing to get into it, you’ll likely see the benefits. Working through workplace issues can help you:
- Create a stronger rapport with employees
- Increase healthy competition
- Open lines of communication
- Provoke creative solutions
- Anticipate and eliminate potential concerns
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