Two Ways to Effectively Handle Conflict

Are you frustrated with workplace conflicts undermining your productivity?  Puzzled about how to move on after a conflict?  An article in Talent Management Magazine, written by TRACOM’s Dr. Casey Mulqueen, discusses how to anticipate and plan for conflicts as well as how to recover from the battles that will inevitably arise at work.

Mulqueen says that anticipating conflict is not “looking for a fight”, but rather understanding common situations that can lead to trouble such as deadlines, competing priorities, budgets, etc.  He also says that different behavioral preferences can turn even minor workplace disagreements into major problems.  Fortunately a skilled manager can anticipate such scenarios and often take steps to diffuse the situation using several easy-to-apply steps.

Mulqueen also offers guidance for those times when the conflict wasn’t avoided and has potential for major derailment.  He offers a model that balances the importance of the ongoing relationship with the need to arrive at an outcome.

Read the full article to improve your own abilities at managing conflict.