Working in any organization means being both a team player and a leader. While being a leader is often hierarchical and you can unilaterally lay out a plan, being a team player means getting along with others in an equitable way. Either scenario, though, it’s human nature to have conflicts. Conflict resolution is a valuable skill that can improve relationships, communication, and teamwork.
Here are ten ways to become better at conflict resolution. While it is not always straightforward, begin practicing this early in your career to establish yourself as a colleague who is collaborative and engaged:
- Active Listening: Listen carefully to all those involved in a conflict without interrupting. Show empathy and understanding, and allow them to express their feelings and perspectives fully. People want to be heard.
- Stay Calm and Neutral: Withhold your own emotions and avoid taking sides. Being calm and neutral helps de-escalate the situation, without encouraging more tensions.
- Pinpoint Core Issues: Dig deeper to identify the root causes of the conflict. There is an actual conflict and then issues (e.g., the symptoms of the conflict) may result from that. A fight about who has a bigger office may be more than about the physical space — perhaps someone feels they are ultimately undervalued. Address the deeper concerns.
- Use “I” Statements: When expressing your own feelings and concerns, use “I” statements, such as “I feel” or “I think,” rather than accusing or blaming the other party. You cannot understand others’ perceptions and interpretations of a situation, so take ownership of your own viewpoints.
- Seek Common Ground: Look for areas of agreement or shared goals. Emphasizing common interests can help bridge differences and find solutions.
- Generate Win-Win Solutions: Encourage creative problem-solving to find solutions that benefit all parties involved. This collaborative approach leaves no room for winners and losers and instead, everyone comes together and walks away satisfied.
- Avoid Personal Attacks: Stay focused on the issue at hand and avoid personal attacks or character judgments. Keep the discussion respectful and solution-oriented (this goes back to making sure you use “I” statements).
- Set Clear Boundaries: Establish clear boundaries and expectations to prevent future conflicts—why did the situation escalate so much and how can you prevent this from happening in the future? Should there be regular team building exercises? Should supervisors meet with their staff regularly to listen to concerns? Clarifying roles and responsibilities can prevent misunderstandings.
- Apologize and Forgive: If you’re at fault, be willing to apologize. Likewise, be open to forgiving others when they genuinely apologize. Forgiveness is a crucial step in conflict resolution.
- Mediation and Third Parties: When conflicts are too deep to be handled by those close to the situation or internally, consider involving a neutral third party or mediator. They can offer an objective perspective and help facilitate the resolution process as they have no “stake” in the result.
TLDR: Conflict resolution is a necessary life and work skill that improves with practice. Don’t be discouraged by occasional setbacks or challenging conflicts. The more you work on these strategies, the better you’ll become at resolving conflicts effectively. After you have honed your conflict resolution skills (or find that your current environment is not supporting your conflict management style), download the FrogHire.ai extension to help you with your job search at another non-domestic worker friendly company. FrogHire.ai will help you find companies that are willing to sponsor your visa to work in the U.S., as well as identify areas you can highlight better on your resume for each particular job post you are interested in applying for!
