Resolving Conflict in the Workplace

The workplace has become a major area of life in the past few decades. Because there is so much time spent at work there will inevitably be conflict in the workplace. Any type of conflict can reduce the workflow and decrease the positive atmosphere. Everyone must know how to resolve conflicts. This will create a healthy work atmosphere for everyone.

A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. – Proverbs 15:1, NASB

No matter how big or type of business there will be conflict because there are people present. These conflicts do not have to disrupt the workday. The ability to meet the conflict head-on with resolution will also keep the employees from facing burnout. The best way to resolve conflict is to have leadership that can recognize and address conflict.

Three conflicts and resolutions

Since many personalities are working together, the most common conflict in the workplace that occurs revolves around how people interact with people. Some conflicts occur that are more personal. No matter the cause there are ways to successfully resolve any type of conflict.

Leadership conflict.

This is one of the most common types of conflict. Every manager or leader has an idea about productively leading a team. This idea is not always the same for everyone. When there is a decision that causes conflict within the team, the leader must be able to identify and resolve the issue. Here are a few types of conflicts in this area:

Decision-making: These conflicts occur when leaders of different areas disagree on a decision.

Goals: A manager who has a goal that doesn’t align with the company may cause a conflict within the company and department.

Roles: If a manager isn’t clear about their responsibilities it can lead to confusion within the department.

Management can resolve this type of conflict through discussion as a team. When the team members and managers commit to a resolution, they can reach an effective resolution. Leadership needs to be concise and clear about the expectations they have for the team. Leadership must also address the issues of what is expected of them.

Personality conflict.

This type of conflict is a result of the interactions between people with different personalities. Personality conflict can lead to a breakdown in communication and create tension. Some of the types of conflict in this area are:

Status: Occurs between two people with different levels of authority

Power: When one person has more influence than the other.

Relationship: When there is a disagreement about work relationships.

Learning to discuss these issues can reduce tension and create a more positive workplace atmosphere. When everyone agrees on the roles and expectations there is less likely to be a conflict. Leadership should try to acknowledge and understand the personalities of each person. Learning which areas and people work better together can help reduce or resolve conflict in the workplace.

Work style conflict.

This type of conflict occurs when the expectations about work differ between employees. These can be based on cultural or personal views about the job. If this conflict is not addressed and resolved it could result in burnout. The types of conflict in this category are:

Managerial: Caused by disagreements about task completion and managing employees.

Task Style: This occurs when there is a differing opinion about the type of work assigned.

Relationship: Results from two people having different ideas about the working relationship.

Learning how to communicate effectively can reduce the tension that leads to these conflicts. Once the issues are in the open, they can be resolved through active listening and problem solving.

Leaders must learn to identify the different work styles to ensure that each person is in an area that will encourage them to be more productive in their daily tasks. One of the biggest tools to help with this type of conflict is communication. Being able to communicate differences can reduce the tension.

Professional help for conflict in the workplace

There are times when conflict in the workplace can cause an individual to feel overwhelmed and anxious about work. If you think you may be facing burnout or job dissatisfaction due to conflict don’t wait to reach out to your local Christian counselor. There are ways you can learn to manage the stress related to conflict in the workplace specific to your situation, which a qualified counselor can explore with you.