Communication and Conflict Resolution at Workplace

Workplace conflict is a widespread phenomenon that needs to be resolved to maintain peace and empathy at work. Conflict might occur between individuals or between groups. Unproductive conflict should be avoided to ensure teamwork in the workplace. Therefore, communication in the workplace is vital and one of the most important among conflict resolution strategies.

It is challenging to control your temper while maintaining demanding clients and tight deadlines. Dealing with workplace pressure leads to toxic conflicts, which can lead to low productivity and more absenteeism. The only solution is that you communicate correctly and listen to each other. Proper communication can help prevent misunderstandings and clarify expectations.

Why is conflict resolution at the workplace important?

Is communication important in the workplace is a vital question. Conflict resolution skills through communication are essential to incorporate peace in the working environment. A flaring conflict between individuals or groups can be detrimental to the business. You can save both money and time by handling a conflict properly. A peaceful and emphatic relationship between colleagues is significant to maintain employee performance and retention rates. A successful business is run through teamwork which is possible only through communication in the workplace.

What causes conflict in the workplace?

Poor communication is the main culprit for causing workplace conflict. Sometimes employees feel that they don’t have a voice or that they are being mistreated. Employees may even misinterpret each other's words. Other workplace conflict causes might be harassment, excessive workload, an employee’s lack of skills to do a job, opposing personalities, and a hostile work environment.

Sometimes workplace conflict might be aroused by poor management or poor leadership qualities. For example, an employee might be mistreated, or a manager or employee might have unrealistic expectations.

How can effective communication resolve conflict at the workplace?

• Taking immediate action: Do not wait for a conflict between your team members. Try to resolve the problem as soon as possible to retain peace and teamwork. Do not ignore or avoid a conflict between team members because a minor issue might flare-up to become a severe conflict. Harmony can be retained in the workplace by resolving a conflict immediately.
• Communicate clear expectations: To facilitate better communication, the manager should clearly express what he expects from others and what is expected from him. When an employee knows what is expected, he is more comfortable, and tension causing conflict is reduced. Conversely, if employees don’t know what is expected of them, it can lead to confusion and conflict in the workplace.
• Listen properly: Listening is the perfect way to communicate because unless you listen and absorb what the other person is saying, confusion will arise. You should be open to each other’s opinions even if your viewpoints differ.
• Use neutral language: When you are resolving a conflict, try to speak calmly and agreeably. Use neutral language and choose your words carefully.
• Respect personal viewpoints: When several people are working under the same roof, it is evident that opposing views and behavior will occur. It can cause a lot of clashes and conflicts. Therefore, try to respect each other’s viewpoints when working in a group to avoid conflicts and a toxic environment.

We spend a lot of our time in the workplace; therefore, it should be devoid of negative conflicts and a toxic environment. Workplace conflicts can affect us mentally and physically. Therefore, we should try to resolve a conflict as soon as possible.