Conflict is a common work-life scenario. No matter how fantastic work culture is, the difference in opinion, practices, and approaches often leads to misunderstanding and conflict. As this situation is unavoidable, you should understand how to handle conflict in the workplace. You can't simply ignore it, as it would probably escalate and cause significant issues. Today, I would like to share some tips to handle conflict in the workplace.

Pick the Best Spot for Conflict-Hearing

As a manager, it's your job to manage people. Once you discover that a person or group has some sort of issue, it's time to sit with them and ask them what's going on. If a conflict is minor, you can allow everyone to take their time. 

However, when the situation is at a mediocre level, then it requires your immediate attention. Don't choose an office for a conflict hearing. The best place is undoubtedly the one without distraction. The reason for not hearing them all in an office is that you want them to open up about their problems. They might not unwind easily in a corporate environment.

A casual setting lets them become informal and talk about the matter. It's to bring both parties to the same table and keep the whole setting as friendly as possible. Remember, you are here to sort this matter out. It won't be possible in a corporate environment.

Listen Both Parties Carefully

Now the next thing is to let them talk. Give the party their best chance. A detective-style listening won't be helpful. You can ask them questions but don't act like a detective. If you do that, they will become uncomfortable and assume that their actions will have serious consequences.

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You will grasp the whole idea of the situation through listening to them carefully. Pay attention to stories of both sides so that you have two different angles of the same story. These angles let you evaluate the whole situation.

Blame the Situation, Not the Party

When you are listening to both parties, the blame game begins. One party will hold another responsible; it's what happens commonly. You will have to work as a bridge that covers the gap between both parties. 

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Thereby, it's vital for you not to blame any party. When they ask you precisely who is mistaken in the current scenario, try to give general answers. Please don't take any side, even when you know the person. 

You will blame the situation that put both parties at stake. The more you blame the situation, the better chances of finding common ground will be.

Know the Root Cause

After hearing both parties' stories, you would be better able to figure out the primary cause. Sometimes a little misunderstanding leads to the most significant conflict. It would help if you had to determine the main reason, as without knowing it, you won't be able to create the ultimate solution.

Do you know the cause? The next step is to make a plan as per this cause. Try to take conflict as an opportunity as you will have an idea what is causing the problem. When you make the resolution plan, you ensure that this situation won't lead to another conflict.  It allows an HR manager to improve work culture.

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Agreement Vs. Disagreement

One of the best ways to handle a conflict in the workplace is to make a list of agreements and disagreements. This list will help you make the conflict resolution plan. As you have gathered all the vital details, you should come up with a solution.

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This solution must be acceptable for both parties so that it can bridge the gap between them efficiently. This solution must define the responsibilities of every party. You need to explain to them their roles, which lets them deal with the conflict effectively.

Take Some Preventive Measures

Conflict is inevitable in the workplace. It allows the manager to find out some problems that may become a reason for disagreements. The best solution is one that nips the evil in the bud. The reason for paying that much attention to conflict is putting the matter at peace and ensuring that nothing of that sort happens again. 

Some conflicts lead to extreme issues, and they require the HR manager to add some new policies in their workplace. These policies define what kind of behavior and emotion is acceptable at the workplace and what won't be intolerable for the organization. The main idea is to learn from the problem and take the best preventive measures to stop this conflict from rising again.

Conclusion 

Conflicts are inevitable in personal and work life. There is a need to manage and resolve dispute in the best manner. I have shared the best strategies that explain how to manage conflict in the workplace. A manager should use ideal measures to deal with a misunderstanding among employees. The main idea is to set a common ground to meet the organization's goal in the best manner.