As the boss, one of your main goals is to create a workplace that fosters collaboration, respect, and unity. Sounds simple enough, right? But human beings are far from simple. Conflict in the workplace can make your job more challenging.
Sometimes, despite our best efforts to ensure everyone works well together, there are employees who just can’t seem to get along with each other. And if we don’t manage the situation, it can cause havoc.
When conflict threatens team cohesion, stops the team being effective and gets personal, it’s time to step in.
🆘 The first step to finding peace is speaking to both parties separately to make them aware of the impact. The point is to try and get each employee to see the other person’s perspective, understanding their own emotions, and preparing for the conversation.
As the manager, your role is to ensure you have the complete story and to give both employees a chance to voice their grievances. Conflict often occurs when one person does not feel heard.
🔑 Second step is to ask meaningful questions to understand each perspective. Questions such as: What do you think is going on with him/her?What is making them act this way? What else might be going on? What is something you could do to make this situation better?
🚧 Thirdly, providing both employees can see the other perspective, encourage them to talk privately to discuss the issue, explain their perspectives and listen to each other.
🏆 Finally, get both parties together and agree the way forward. Remind them that team success is different to individual success. Everyone has a role to play in making the team work.
Managing a team and keeping the peace isn’t always easy. But conflict left unaddressed is bad news for team cohesion, morale and productivity. And who wants to work in a toxic environment?