Conflict does not only occur in large businesses but even self-employed individuals suffer from conflicts whether it’s with a dealer or a client. It is a very common source of stress in any individual’s work life. But worry not, there are proven ways to achieve conflict resolution.
Our relationships are strained when things don’t go well with an employee, a colleague, a client or a business partner and often, two or more conflicting individuals find it difficult to work with each other. However, on many occasions, we are not given a choice. In turn, it affects many areas of our work life – it reduces the quality of communication, productivity and co-operation. When individuals in a team are unable to work together, the machine becomes less oiled and it affects not only ourselves but for everyone around us. At the end of the day, amounting to stress becomes highly unbearable.
In a conflicting situation, you may find that it is near impossible to change the other person’s views. The only mindset you can change is yourself. Here are some ideas.
The Win/Win Approach
This method is about diverting attack-and-defense-based conflict to co-operation. Instead of “I want to have it my way!” this approach says “I want to win, and I want you to win too”. It’s important to go back to the needs and concentrate on them instead of immediately aiming for the solutions, an understanding of individual differences and attacking the problem, instead of the person.
Co-operative power
When responding to resistance from others that has a conflict-potential, you should try to reframe the resistance instead of reinforcing it. Reinforcement of such resistance will only add conflict, and therefore stress. Firstly, you need to clarify the details of the resistance. Then, find options for solutions – “What can we do?” and also to keep away from the negatives of the situation and then reevaluating the situation.
Practicing effective methods of conflict resolution is an important step to manage and reduce stress and directly improving the quality of your workplace and increase productivity.
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