Conflict management at work is often a sore reality. The intention is to identify friction and stress and cope with it just before it escalates into a major problem. One thing is clear--conflict does not magically subside if ignored. A couple of my co-workers once had a difference of viewpoint which progressed into an argument, and after a number of minutes, the conflict almost developed into a full-blown fistfight. Each of them were mad at the other, and we needed to restrain them before things got really awful.
When we managed to cool everything down, we questioned them exactly what they were quarrelling about, because even if we were fine there in the office with them, we could not understand most of what they were shouting at one another. The moment they began to attempt to explain it to us, they started shouting once again, and our boss told them they were going to have to report to human resources for a workplace conflict solution session. I had no clue that our organization even provided this, but evidently, workplace conflict management is a thing that a lot of companies take very seriously, and as our manager told the rest of us, it really is effective if both employees are truly committed to resolving their problems.
They went to the session on workplace conflict management and resolution and behaved the following day as if they were the best of friends. It was amazing to me, and most of us looked around at one another thinking if these were the same 2 guys that looked like they wanted to kill each other the day before. I spoke with one of them and asked him if it was the session that had fixed the issue, and he said that was just about the case. He explained that in the session, they talked about ways to much better handle circumstances in which a conflict could occur, and each of them discovered how to communicate more effectively.
He added that understanding about workplace conflict management made each of them recognize that the majority of conflicts in the office arise because of a miscommunication, and that if you can just talk it out and try to comprehend just where the other person is coming from, you could usually arrive at an agreement and keep harmony. A few months later, a disagreement broke out between 2 different co-workers. It was not nearly to the same level as the first one, but they were both really distressed. They ultimately had to go to a workplace conflict management program also, and the rest of us believed everything would be good.
Conflict management procedures have been carried out. This time, however, they never talked to each other after they went, and a few weeks later, one of them wound up quitting. What our boss had told us regarding office conflict management and resolution was apparently true. It certainly could be very helpful, rebuilding friendships and a sense of serenity and harmony to the office, but everyone involved must be prepared to make it work and keep an objective balance.
When we managed to cool everything down, we questioned them exactly what they were quarrelling about, because even if we were fine there in the office with them, we could not understand most of what they were shouting at one another. The moment they began to attempt to explain it to us, they started shouting once again, and our boss told them they were going to have to report to human resources for a workplace conflict solution session. I had no clue that our organization even provided this, but evidently, workplace conflict management is a thing that a lot of companies take very seriously, and as our manager told the rest of us, it really is effective if both employees are truly committed to resolving their problems.
They went to the session on workplace conflict management and resolution and behaved the following day as if they were the best of friends. It was amazing to me, and most of us looked around at one another thinking if these were the same 2 guys that looked like they wanted to kill each other the day before. I spoke with one of them and asked him if it was the session that had fixed the issue, and he said that was just about the case. He explained that in the session, they talked about ways to much better handle circumstances in which a conflict could occur, and each of them discovered how to communicate more effectively.
He added that understanding about workplace conflict management made each of them recognize that the majority of conflicts in the office arise because of a miscommunication, and that if you can just talk it out and try to comprehend just where the other person is coming from, you could usually arrive at an agreement and keep harmony. A few months later, a disagreement broke out between 2 different co-workers. It was not nearly to the same level as the first one, but they were both really distressed. They ultimately had to go to a workplace conflict management program also, and the rest of us believed everything would be good.
Conflict management procedures have been carried out. This time, however, they never talked to each other after they went, and a few weeks later, one of them wound up quitting. What our boss had told us regarding office conflict management and resolution was apparently true. It certainly could be very helpful, rebuilding friendships and a sense of serenity and harmony to the office, but everyone involved must be prepared to make it work and keep an objective balance.
About the Author:
Starquest improves our everyday lives managing conflict, employing them how to enhance their relationship skills as well as to give a boost to their effectiveness in work, and at home. They even are experts in conflict management strategies and helping people discover strengths they don't know they currently have or haven't yet applied.