In today’s workplace, with a mix of cultures, generations and backgrounds, some conflict is inevitable. Workplace conflict can arise due to differences in opinion, varied approaches to solving problems, or personal misunderstandings. However, what sets a healthy workplace apart is how conflicts are handled by managers and coworkers. Maintaining respectful conversations, even during conflict, is crucial to fostering a positive work environment.
85% of employees deal with conflict, and it costs U.S. companies $359 billion annually. So, how can managers and teams come together and resolve conflicts delicately while finding the best solutions?
Practicing Respect During Conflict – Why it Matters
One of the main ways to handle conflict is to start by being respectful. When you are respectful, everyone involved in the situation will not find a need to be defensive but instead focus on the problem at hand. Respect is the foundation of effective communication. Especially when you are in a professional setting, treating others with respect is key in maintaining strong working relationships and avoiding frustration and anger taking over.
Managing disagreements and conflict in the workplace respectfully can help in many ways:
- Protects Relationships: Maintaining respect during disagreements ensures that professional relationships remain intact. When you manage sensitive disagreements with respect, you can avoid resentment and instead build trust among your colleagues.
- Promotes Collaboration: Focusing on respectful communication promotes open conversation. When people feel seen and valued, they are more likely to collaborate and find solutions to challenges, even during disagreements.
- Boosts Productivity: Productivity takes a hit when the work environment seems hostile. Focusing on respectful conversations in the workplace will maintain a sense of calm and foster an environment of finding solutions rather than escalating the conflict.
Tips for Having Respectful Conversations During Conflict
Workplace disagreements are inevitable, but the way we conduct conversations can set a positive, productive tone. Here are five tips to keep in mind.
1. Practice active listening
During conversations, make a point to actively listen to your coworkers. This means instead of just hearing what they are saying, try to understand where they are coming from. Avoid interrupting and try not to focus on what you are going to say next while the other person is still speaking. This will help you have productive conversations, with both parties being able to share and feel heard.
2. Be calm during conversations
Keep calm and fight the urge to raise your voice. It’s natural to feel angry and defensive during an argument. Instead of saying things you will later regret, take a deep breath and think about what you want to say, then communicate with a calm demeanor.
3. Focus on resolving the conflict
At the end of the day, you want to resolve the conflict and not escalate it. Drop the ‘I need to win’ approach and instead figure out the root cause of the disagreement and work together to find the solution. This will also help in building stronger relationships as it helps to foster mutual respect and trust.
4. Acknowledge and understand feelings
One of the biggest things to remember is that sometimes conflict arises due to emotions. In this situation, try to empathize with or acknowledge the person’s emotions. Even if you don’t agree with them, show them that you respect their feelings. This will be more helpful when trying to de-escalate the situation.
5. Body language is important
Nobody wants to talk to someone who is rolling their eyes and being rude to you through their actions. Try to be patient when talking with someone during a disagreement and stay engaged in the conversation. Be respectful and continue to show that you are open to talking and want to resolve the conflict.
Moving Forward After Conflict
After you have had the difficult conversation, you want to continue the relationship and move on from the conflict. To do this effectively, you need to reflect on the conversation and learn from it.
Understand what went wrong and how you can improve in the future. Make sure to check in with the other person afterward to show that you are committed to moving forward. Most importantly, let go and avoid resentment. Having a positive attitude is the best way to move on.
