How To Handle Workplace Conflict

The typical workplace is such a mix of personalities, temperaments and cultures, there’s always a conflict to be resolved. It’s just like high school, complete with cool guys, fickle girls, bullies, nerds and wannabes, all rubbing each other the wrong way. Then there’s you, showing up each day to do the best job you can. (Just like you did when you were a high-school freshman.) Wouldn’t it be great if you could ignore everybody else’s problems and simply get your job done?

Unfortunately you can’t do that. Going to work each day means sharing a parking lot, an office space and a break room. It means producing, marketing, and multitasking alongside of those quirky personalities you thought you left behind in high school. It means working as a team and getting the results you’re paid to deliver. When conflict arises, you must work through it as though your job depends on it … because it does.

So how do you handle conflicts in the workplace?

Stay neutral

Bullies in the workplace will push your buttons. Fickle girls will stab you in the back to hijack your next promotion. Wannabes will suck you into their pay disputes. Conflict will find you, no matter how hard you try to avoid it, but what can you do? Stay neutral.

Be friends with everyone, even the bully. Give every coworker the same warm “Good morning” smile and the same enthusiastic pat on the back. Be kind to all and favor none. Stay neutral, and when conflict arises, your coworkers will respect your neutrality and leave you out of it.

Keep your head down

Remember the kid in high school who was too busy doing homework or extra credit assignments to have fun or get into trouble? His fellow students might not have admired him, but they respected him enough to leave him alone. You can have it the same way.

Dedicate yourself to your job. Take 15 minute lunches, no coffee breaks and stay overtime whether you’re paid or not. Develop a reputation as the worker who is too busy to do anything but work. Keep your head down. Stay focused, even when office conflicts get out of control in the next cubical; and they will pass right by.

Be the mediator

If you’re hard-working and neutral, but coworkers still bring their problems to your door, why not be the wise soul who helps resolve them. Be a mediator, the neutral party who listens to all sides of an issue when no one else wants to do it. Let your coworkers take turns speaking. Hear what they have to say; then encourage them to sit down, talk to each other, sort out the facts, and resolve the conflict themselves.

Be the conflict arbitrator

If you are wise, caring, dedicated and hard working, your fellow employees may feel confident in your knowledge, fairness and decision-making ability. Those are the qualities that will help you succeed as an arbitrator during times of conflict. Before you hear their grievances, get you coworkers’ agreement to abide by your decision, no matter what. Then listen to each side of the story and decide on a fair solution.

Suggest they turn it over to a professional

You may be wise and smart, but sometimes conflicts need the attention of a professional. Some companies have alternative dispute resolution services in their benefits packages. A company mediator or arbitrator may set up a meeting outside the workplace to resolve the dispute in a private setting. If your employer doesn’t have a dispute resolution process, suggest that the conflicted coworkers turn the matter over to an outside trained professional.

In situations where different personalities, temperaments and cultures come together, there are bound to be conflicts… just like in high school. It’s easier to avoid the fallout if you set up a personal plan of action before the conflict starts.