Expert Shares 3 Strategies To Manage Conflict At Work

• Poor communication and unresolved issues can undermine productivity and employee satisfaction.
• Understanding and adapting to colleagues’ preferred communication methods is key for effective interaction and conflict prevention.
• Managing conflict by avoiding immediate reactions, seeking understanding, and maintaining a supportive network helps foster a positive work environment.

Conflict is inevitable in any workplace; but poor communication and unresolved interpersonal issues can lead to decreased productivity, unhappy employees, and high turnover rates.

There are a few strategies to explore for fostering positive workplace relationships — based on insights from corporate talent acquisition leader Anastasia Penright.

Penright recently joined us on our Future of Work podcast to discuss her perspective and practical tips on conflict resolution, which are invaluable to professionals seeking to enhance their interpersonal skills and create a more harmonious work environment.

Understanding Different Communication Styles

Penright stresses the need to understand how your colleagues prefer to communicate. What one person intends as a quick FYI ping may be interpreted by someone else as an urgent request demanding their immediate attention. She advises listening carefully to coworkers to learn their communication preferences. Then you can tailor your own communication style to meet their needs, facilitating better mutual understanding.

“You have to listen to people. You have to see how they tick, you have to see how they engage in situations. And you make note of that or hear comments…so listening to those things so you can understand, and you’re basically in your head creating this almost persona or profile for this person, and then you’re able to engage them in that way. And again, the end game is to get the information you need or to be able to better collaborate on the work,” Penright said on our podcast.

“You have to listen to people. You have to see how they tick, you have to see how they engage in situations. And you make note of that or hear comments…so listening to those things so you can understand, and you’re basically in your head creating this almost persona or profile for this person, and then you’re able to engage them in that way. And again, the end game is to get the information you need or to be able to better collaborate on the work,” Penright said on our podcast.

Managing Interpersonal Conflict

When conflict does arise, Penright recommends avoiding knee-jerk reactions. Instead of responding defensively to a coworker’s frustration, pause and try to understand the root of their concern. Oftentimes the tension stems from misaligned expectations or stress unrelated to you.

“How we treat one another is something 100% in our control,” she said.

If the conflict persists with someone you must continue working with, have an empathetic conversation to clear the air. See if there are small changes each of you can make to improve the relationship. Enlist trusted friends as sounding boards to vent so you can ultimately address issues constructively.

Building Strong Workplace Relationships

Cultivating trusted mentors, friends, and peer support groups creates a buffer against workplace drama. Penright refers to this circle as your “front row” — people who will cheer you on through thick and thin.

Make an effort to regularly connect with workplace confidants even if they are remote. Text, video chat, or stay in touch however you can to preserve these relationships despite physical distance. When conflict inevitably arises, they will provide invaluable listening ears and advice to smooth feathers that may have been ruffled.

The bottom line is that conflict triggers are inevitable. But by honing emotional intelligence skills like empathy, patience, and understanding, you can navigate any rough waters that come your way in order to maintain workplace harmony.