Resolve Conflict at Work

Instructions

• Consider a conflict, big or small, that you are facing with another person at work. Perhaps you disagree on a new school policy, or maybe you feel your colleague isn’t pulling their weight on your team, which is in charge of developing a new curriculum. After identifying the conflict, follow these steps:
  • Choose to actively manage the conflict rather than ignoring it. When your supervisor makes a decision you disagree with, or a colleague isn’t respecting your time, your instinct may be to accommodate their wishes, and ignore your thoughts and feelings on the matter. Instead of avoiding the conflict and allowing suppressed emotions to build inside, decide to take an active approach and address the conflict head-on.
  • Embrace a mindset of collaboration. If you have an instinct to avoid conflict, it may be the result of a workplace culture where it’s normal to keep doubts and disagreements quiet for the sake of reducing tension. Or maybe the norm at your workplace is to aggressively hold your ground until one person “wins” the debate. Instead, the best way to resolve conflict is somewhere in the middle: choosing a collaborative mindset. Collaboration means that individuals feel safe to share opposing opinions and strive for a solution that works for both people.
  • Practice active listening. In order to have productive discussion, it is important to demonstrate mutual respect for one another. One critical way to do this is to actively listen when someone is speaking, as opposed to preparing your rebuttal. When both parties feel heard, you can more effectively come to a cooperative solution.
  • Take a walk. If possible, suggest discussing the matter on a walk indoors or outdoors. As you walk side by side, adjust the pace of your gait to synchronize with your colleague’s, a practice that has been found to encourage collaboration. Consider this walk together to be a constructive opportunity to exchange ideas.

Source

Christine E. Webb, Ph.D., Harvard University

Evidence That It Works

A study of students, administrators, and healthcare workers in The Netherlands analyzed the relationship between employee strain—feeling miserable, upset, or worried at work—and styles of conflict management. The researchers found that a passive approach to conflict management amplifies employee strain, compared to an active style of conflict management such as problem-solving.

Furthermore, research finds that organizations with collaborative conflict styles have greater viability, while dominating conflict cultures offer poor customer service, and avoidant conflict cultures show low creativity.

In addition, a meta-analysis suggests that walking together may aid conflict resolution. In one study referenced, people who were instructed to walk in synchrony were more likely to make personal sacrifices for the benefit of the group, compared to a control group who walked out of synchrony.

Why Does It Matter?

Solving conflict at work can be difficult, and time concerns can influence our ability to come to an agreement about how to best serve students. However, in a high-stress environment, strategies to promote collaboration, listening, and cooperation are vital.

Research suggests that neglecting to advocate for our point of view can increase feelings of distress at work, which is why it’s important to be proactive in solving conflict and constructively sharing our opinions. When leaders model and welcome this kind of collaborative approach, it may influence others to do the same, which can improve the school culture and viability.

Choosing to walk as you talk with a colleague can promote this cooperative problem-solving. As your steps synchronize, research suggests, you may find that the two of you are better able to get on the same page. Walking can help inspire innovative solutions, and allow you and your colleague to move toward a resolution.