101: Work conflicts
Conflicts at work crop up over any number of issues: You’re tired of them joining Zoom calls and being on mute; they took your designated parking space even though you’re Employee of the Month; they aren’t pulling their weight in projects. But conflicts pull down morale, productivity, and a whole host of other workplace positives. Here are some ways to stay calm.
Watch your language. This includes the manner in which you speak as well as your body language while you discuss the issue at hand. According to Indeed.com, ways to project open-mindedness include maintaining eye contact; relaxing your posture; being conscious of your facial expressions; using a neutral tone as much as possible; moderating your speech speed and volume; and avoiding words that imply absolutes, such as always or never.
Bring in someone else. Discussing it with a neutral party, maybe a colleague who was not involved in the conflict nor will be affected by its outcome, does several things, says Harvard Business Review’s Judith Glaser. It makes the conflict seem smaller, for one. “The social interaction will also put you in a more collaborative, connected state of mind,” she writes, which is never a bad thing.
Find and acknowledge similarities. “Try shifting the lens of the conversation onto the things you can both agree on. You both care about the company, your reputations, and your project, so there's bound to be some common ground,” notes Hubspot.com blog. Are there any of the same goals? (For instance, maybe you both want to land a big account, or improve at marketing.) Do you and the person with whom you are in conflict have any of the same concerns, such as reducing budget expenses, impressing a supervisor, or increasing team training opportunities? Finding those similarities can be the cornerstone to potential conflict resolution.
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