'Conflicts can arise in any team environment; How a Manager responds can be vital to resolving the situation and to restoring the team to its normal level of effectiveness’... The latest addition to our slide-deck library looks at 'Dealing with Conflict in the Workplace'.

1. Management: Dealing with Conflict in the Workplace

2. Management: Dealing with Conflict in the Workplace

3. Management roles are made up of a wide range of responsibilities,
with one of the most crucial being ensuring that teams are working
effectively.

4. If managed well, a team can add value to an organisation by
drawing upon the ideas and the input of all its members, working
together collaboratively. In any team environment conflicts can
arise; how a manager responds can be vital to resolving the
situation and restoring the team to its normal level of
effectiveness.

5. Here are some key points to consider for managing a conflict
situation in the workplace...

6. Collect all the facts

7. Collect all the facts

8. A manager should always take an objective approach to conflict within their
team, ensuring that all those involved are given the opportunity to be heard.

9. A good manager will act as the impartial, but empathetic influence in a
conflict situation; allowing their employees to get their point across,
remaining unbiased and constructive at all times.

10. Collecting all the relevant facts is vital to properly understanding the
situation and ultimately to moving towards an agreed solution.

11. Call Appropriate Meetings

12. Call Appropriate Meetings

13. When collecting all the information it is a good idea to speak with those
involved in the conflict alone in one-to-one meetings. This way they can
speak with you without needing to hold back too much. After you have done
this it is a good idea to then sit down with all parties involved to discuss the
situation openly. Finally, when you have communicated with all those direct-
ly involved in the conflict, and arrived at a solution, it may be appropriate to
hold a full team meeting.

14. This way you can update the wider team with the progress made and the
solutions that have been arrived at. This is a good opportunity to let every-
one you manage know that you are on hand should a similar situation arise
in the future.

15. Focus on Common Goals

16. When conflicts arise in a professional setting, it is easy for a team to lose
sight of what their goals are.

17. Restating the team’s purpose and reaffirming the value of the different
members of the team in achieving common goals can play a big part in
resolving a conflict,

18. and can provide a great opportunity to focus on positive aspects of the work
that the team does. Highlighting objectives and requirements is an effective
way to refocus a team.

19. Work Collaboratively

20. Sometimes it can be appropriate to work collaboratively with those involved
in a conflict, in order to resolve it.

21. Overseeing a brainstorm session, in which the manager and the team
members work together to find a solution to the problem, can create an
opportunity where any damaged relationships can be repaired. Done in a
professional and positive environment, the collaborative act of
brainstorming a solution to a conflict can in effect be the solution.

22. Recognize Styles of Conflict-Handling

23. Recognize Styles of Conflict-Handling

24. There are many different ways that people respond to a conflict – some look
to avoid conflict altogether, while others can be very demanding in ensuring
that their voice is heard.

25. This is where it is important that you know the personalities within your
team and recognise how you can balance their styles, while respecting the
needs of all parties.

26. Ultimately it is important that you can respond to the different conflict styles
in a way that allows all parties to feel that their needs and concerns are
understood and have been addressed.

27. Make Sure the Problem is Resolved

28. Make Sure the Problem is Resolved

29. Communicate with all parties involved to ensure that the solution you have
arrived at has sufficiently resolved the situation.

30. Your solution should also set guidelines for how to handle a similar conflict
should the same situation arise again in the future. Ensuring that all parties
commit to working to these can make for a more effective team in the long
term.

31. Connect
For more tips on professional development and to see all of our latest opportunities,
connect with the InterQuest Group
InterQuest Group plc is a specialist recruitment group providing contract and
permanent services within niche disciplines globally.
The Group is divided into specialist businesses, with each one aligned to one of the
following market sectors, Finance, Retail, Public Sector, Not for Profit or in an area of
technology such as testing, analytics, ERP or digital. These are augmented by other
businesses specialising in services which span the various vertical niches - such as
recruitment outsourcing or executive search and selection.
InterQuest has been trading since 2001 and has grown during this time to a £115
million Turnover Company, listed on the AIM.
As specialists in contract, permanent IT and analytics recruitment, the InterQuest
Group trades as distinctly branded, individual, specialist recruitment businesses.