6 Steps To Resolving Conflict In An Organization
Organizational conflict is an inevitable part of team building: Differing points of view may clash from time to time, so having a constructive and consistent way to reach a compromise is essential for building a successful team. Team leaders should facilitate the resolution of organizational conflict while allowing team members to identify and implement a solution together.
Instructions
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1
Identify the source of conflict.
Meet with organizational members individually or in a group setting to discuss each person’s view on the source of discord. Allow adequate time for each member to speak, but do not allow anyone member to dominate. -
2
Discuss solutions to the conflict.
Set aside some time to brainstorm, and give each idea thorough consideration. Allow each team member to give their suggestions without being interrupted or having their ideas criticized. Your goal here is to come up with at least five to ten workable solutions during the brainstorming session. -
3
Remain calm.
There is always the threat of things getting out of hand depending on the severity of the conflict; team leaders or conflict managers will have to pay extra attention to making sure tempers do not get in the way of conflict resolution. In order to achieve this, you should make clear to each team member that revenge is not an acceptable outcome. -
4
Develop a pros and cons list for each identified solution.
Discuss each person’s fears and interests in each solution, being careful to neither discredit nor downplay their fears. Do not allow any one team member to dominate or push ideas onto the team. -
5
Identify mutually agreeable solutions.
Try to find solutions where everyone has some common ground, avoiding solutions which may polarize or antagonize any individual (even if it works for the majority), unless there really is no other possible solution.
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6
Pick a solution which meets the needs of all organizational members.
Compromise may be necessary at this stage, but as a manager, you should allow team members to come to a decision together. Intervene only if it’s necessary to reach an agreement. -
7
Conclusion
Develop a plan of action for the chosen solution. Follow up with your team members within a designated amount of time to determine if the solution has been successful. Some people may come across as troublemakers but may really have genuine concerns and intentions, and you will need to be able to see through to their good intentions to avoid writing them off altogether.
