Strategies for Successful Relationships: Managing Conflict
If you’re a living, breathing human-being, you will have conflict. The only people who don’t are dead. If you have an opinion on anything you will disagree with someone and engage in conflict. Conflict is an inevitable part of life, work and relationships. What happens when you face conflicts at work?
What if a co-worker doesn’t make the deadline with his or her part of a combined project? How do you handle it when your boss asks you to do something unethical? What is your reaction to a co-worker who falsely accuses you for losing a big contract? Do you tend to hold your tongue? Do you wait to see what will happen? Or do you confront, defend and blowup?
Facing conflict in relationships is difficult. We all want peace, co-operation, harmony and resolution. Conflict can result in either problem-solving and resolution or an all-out war! Conflictual scenarios can prevent collaboration and cause relationship breakdown unless you have the skills to manage it. How you approach conflict greatly impacts the outcome.
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Practical strategies for managing conflict
- When you clash or disagree with someone one way to prevent escalation is to take a time-out to consider the issues and your response. Don’t feel pressured to resolve the situation immediately.
- SUM-UP what the other person says by paraphrasing their demands, viewpoints and comments. This will clarify the issue and provide you the opportunity to reply. Most people don’t listen well and tend to react defensively when engaged in conflict. Summarizing what someone says demonstrates that you are listening, you care and are trying to understand. Replaying what you hear doesn’t equate to agreement with their opinion or request. Here are some ways to help you sum up what the speaker is saying:
- “In other words, you were not able to make the project deadline and hope I can finish the work.”
- “What I hear you saying is that you want me to charge this customer 25 % more than the normal cost.”
- Communicate your need and viewpoint graciously but, firmly.
- “I was able to complete my part of the project but, I do not have time to take on your portion as well.”
- “I find over-charging customers places me in an ethical dilemma. I prefer not to carry out this task.”
Application: Write out a scenario when you experienced conflict at work. Envision how you could respond by using the time-out, Sum-Up skills and communicating your viewpoint.
Why not discover how you can better manage conflict and prevent relationship breakdown? Using conflict resolution skills will give you greater opportunity for success in the workplace.
©2004 by Lynette J. Hoy, NCC, LCPC
