How To Manage Conflict At Work? 6 Powerful Manager Hacks

Conflict at work can be difficult to deal with, but it’s something that every manager needs to be aware of and prepared for. If you’re not expecting it and aren’t ready to manage it, it can quickly become a source of tension and chaos. This blog discusses the top 6 ways to manage conflict at work for managers and leaders. We have also discussed various types of workplace conflicts and why managers should give conflict management a top priority. By taking these steps, you’ll better equip yourself to manage conflict at work, and everyone will be happier! So, let’s start with understanding what exactly a conflict is.

What is a Conflict?

Conflict is a disagreement or hostility among individuals or groups about something. It can be physical, verbal, emotional, social, and even workplace. It is defined as a disagreement or argument between people or groups of people, typically a heated one. Anything from a dispute about a project at work to a disagreement about resource allocation can spark a conflict. Conflict can be healthy or harmful, constructive or destructive, depending on how we handle it.

In general, though, we see conflict as unfavorable because it can lead to division, anger, and even violence. It’s often best to resolve workplace conflicts as quickly and peacefully as possible. Conflict is an inevitable and often necessary part of the workplace. It is basically when two or more people are working together to accomplish a common goal, and they encounter difficulties with each other. It adds stress for both managers and employees as it can be tiring and overwhelming to have conflict constantly in the workplace.

A conflict at work can also become extremely dangerous if left unchecked. There can be various causes of conflict in the workplace, including different goals, personalities, opinions, beliefs, standards, work styles, etc. However, someone will have had enough no matter how long you treat these interpersonal differences (distances) with caution.

4 Types of workplace conflict within teams

1. Norm-Challenge conflict

The norm-challenge conflict is a workplace conflict that arises when an individual or a group/team challenges their organization’s established norms or values. It can happen in several ways, such as by speaking out against the organization’s standards or by breaking or violating the rules and norms that have been established. This type of conflict is often seen as disruptive and can lead to tension. You can also see it as a way for the individual or team to express their dissatisfaction with the organizational norms or bring about change.

2. Power struggle conflict

The power struggle is a type of workplace conflict that arises when the dominant member(s) (primarily Managers or leaders) of an organization try to retain their power within the organization by controlling the behaviors of other members through social control. It is the most common type of conflict in which these members attempt to get their way by using their power or influence to control others.

Power struggle conflicts can be very destructive and lead to many hurt feelings and hard feelings. The choice that someone makes to exercise their power can lead to strained relationships and low morale within the team.

3. Status competition conflict

The status competition conflict is a type of workplace conflict that arises when one person or the team within an organization tries to compete for higher status than other members. It can happen through verbal statements and comments, but mostly it takes place through actual working behaviors (e.g., working longer hours without additional compensation). It usually takes place due to organizational structures that measure success or failure by the type and volume of work that a person does.

Status competition conflict is more destructive than power struggle conflicts because it creates friction or factionalism between teammates striving for higher status within the organization. It can be dangerous as it makes team members let their personal feelings and opinions get in the way of their objectives. But, if they manage it well, it can lead to healthy competition within the individuals or teams, which can help the organization grow.

4. Collaboration/cooperation conflict

The collaboration/cooperation conflict is a type of workplace conflict that arises when two or more individuals within an organization cannot agree on how to collaborate or cooperate to solve and accomplish the common goal for which they are working together. It can occur due to different personality types or differences of opinion within the team and lead to a hostile work environment. It can be very harmful because it creates confusion, distraction, high-stress levels, and ineffectiveness among team members.

Who is responsible for managing and resolving these conflicts?

It is not difficult to answer this question. Managers are the obvious ones responsible for conflict management and conflict resolution. Conflict management skills are a significant part of the skills required for managers to be effective in their roles. They are responsible for both setting up the work environment and team dynamics.

Managers are in charge of making sure everyone gets along within the organization. They do it by always doing their due diligence to pay attention to any potential conflicts. Additionally, administrators such as HR managers or senior management have a significant role in controlling the process of managing conflicts at organizational levels and how it affects individual employees (e.g., employee turnover). Managers are not just responsible for managing conflicts, but they also need to give managing these conflicts top priority. Let’s now discuss the reasons behind it.

Why should managers try to manage conflict at work?

There are many reasons why managers should give top priority to managing conflict at work. Some of the biggest and the most common ones are as follows:

• Conflict can lead to less efficient work and lower productivity
• It can cause morale problems, sow distrust and discord within teams, and impair team performance
• Workplace conflicts can even lead to lawsuits or other legal disputes
• It can negatively impact the organization’s image and brand
• It can increase staff turnover rates
• Managing conflict effectively is essential for fostering organizational trust and communication
• Effective resolution of conflict at work leads to cooperation, improved teamwork, more productive employees, and ultimately firmer relationships

Given the above, it is evident that managers need to manage conflict at work effectively for short- and long-term success.

The Top 6 Ways To Manage Conflicts In The Workplace As A Manager

1. Create an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect

The first step for managers to effectively manage workplace conflicts is to create an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect. Managers should create a work environment where employees feel comfortable sharing disagreements, different viewpoints, resentment, or problems. They can do this by creating a climate of openness and communication. They should also be fostering trust between managers and subordinates.

When employees feel that managers respect their concerns and they can talk to their manager openly about any conflict, managing the conflict will get easier. Lack of trust and mutual respect leads to conflicts becoming entrenched, making it more challenging to resolve them.

2. Listen attentively and offer constructive feedback

Active listening to employee concerns is the best way for managers to understand better the problems and emotions that have led to the conflict. Managers should ask questions to understand what led to the conflict from each person’s point of view. This type of effective communication is essential in resolving disputes. Because it allows both parties involved in a dispute to voice their opinions without feeling judged or defensive.

Additionally, by offering constructive feedback after listening to the concerns, managers can help employees understand the real reason behind the conflict they are finding themselves in. It can help employees easily overcome conflict at work. It will also help them learn, which may help them avoid these conflicts in the future. That will ultimately make it easy to manage conflicts.

3. Address the root cause of the conflict promptly

Once they identify a conflict at work, managers need to address its underlying cause as soon as possible. You can do this by discussing the problem openly and candidly and addressing the point of view of both parties involved. Managers can then create a common ground and work together to develop a solution that satisfies all parties quickly. If they do not resolve the conflict soon, it may become entrenched and more difficult to determine. Getting to know the root cause can allow managers to come up with new ways or interventions to avoid the same in the future.

4. Avoid getting drawn into an argument or a heated debate with your colleagues

Managers should make sure to keep the arguments internal to the workplace. They should, very importantly, avoid getting drawn into a heated debate with their colleagues. Getting drawn into a heated discussion will be ineffective in resolving the conflict, but it may also lead to further resentment. These heated debates can also be counterproductive to delivering objectives and goals set by the organization.

To avoid this and manage workplace conflicts effectively, managers should respond to employee concerns but not take a negative response personally. When disagreements do arise, managers should control their emotions and should try to address them calmly and rationally using constructive criticism. If the conflicting parties do not agree with the best solution you could provide, you should not lose your cool. It would be best to work together with them to develop a different solution or course of action that can prove acceptable to the conflicting parties.

5. Avoid personal attacks or demeaning comments directed at others

Many people view workplace conflicts as an opportunity to attack the other person and try to win. However, this type of behavior is counterproductive and will only lead to further conflict. Managers should avoid personal attacks or demeaning comments directed at others to manage conflicts effectively. When tensions are running high, it can be challenging to stay calm and constructive. However, resorting to personal attacks will only make the situation worse. Demeaning comments damage relationships and can also be damaging to a company’s reputation.

Managers should try to stay focused on the issue at hand. They should remember that the goal is to manage and resolve the conflict and not to initiate another one. Therefore, they should avoid personal attacks or demeaning comments as doing so will help maintain a positive working environment. It will also help to resolve the conflict more effectively. Instead of passing these attacks or comments, managers should empathize with the conflicting parties. Doing that will make all parties feel safe and secure. It leads to greater insight and a more effective resolution of the issue at hand.

6. Offer support and praise when a conflict is resolved

When a conflict is resolved, it’s essential to offer your employees sincere congratulations and show them support in their recovery. You can do it by praising them for their efforts, providing assistance if needed, or sending a thank you note. Providing recovery support to employees after resolving the conflicts can show how much the organization takes their personal growth and development into importance. It will also provide employees with a sense of security. Further, managers can build trust with their team members by communicating appreciation and encouragement. All that together can also help avoid further conflicts among colleagues after conflict resolution has been achieved.

Conclusion

In today’s competitive and fast-paced world, workplace conflicts are inevitable. But not all conflicts are created equal. Some are miscommunications or misunderstandings, while others can escalate into full-blown disputes that can hurt team productivity and morale. As a manager, it’s your responsibility to know the different types of workplace conflicts and resolve conflict at work effectively. You should know that you are the one responsible for managing them. Further, you should also know how to resolve them to benefit everyone involved.

We’ve outlined the 6 top easy-to-follow ways to manage conflict at work in this blog. So whether you’re a new manager just starting or an experienced one looking for new and innovative ways to manage conflicts successfully, we believe these ways will help you out.

---

FAQs

---