How do you resolve conflict between co-workers?

Author: Halley Harrelson Published: October 2022


Co-worker conflict can be very stressful and hard to manage. This can cause group morale to go quickly south. Here are some tips to help resolve the conflict between co-workers:

Get involved sooner instead of later. Time will not solve the problem. Many managers avoid co-worker conflict because it is uncomfortable to deal with. As a result, they usually feel unprepared for this task.

Meet with both employees. Meeting with each employee individually will only create more distrust. Trust is the foundation for resolving conflict.

Start the meeting on a positive note. Ask the employees each something, such as what they value about the other person. This can help them point out positive behaviors about each other.

Reduce the tension. If you look relaxed, you look confident and helpful. Listen carefully to your employees. They want to be heard.

Remain objective. Typically, both parties are at fault. It is your job to help them solve the problem to work together correctly.

Have follow-up meetings. The initial session is only the first step to resolving conflict between co-workers. At the end of the first meeting, schedule a follow-up meeting. It will be easy to say that the problem is determined after the first meeting. Therefore, it’s essential to schedule a follow-up session.

Takeaway

Managing conflict between co-workers can be one of the most challenging things about being a manager. It requires skills that may not come naturally. It’s important to stay calm, listen, and schedule follow-up meetings.

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