Conflict is a normal and inevitable part of humanity. It is expected that when people from different walks of life work together in the same environment, they are bound to rub shoulders including in any workplace! As a matter of fact, research reveals that 30% of a manager’s daily tasks include dealing with interpersonal conflict between staff members. As an employee, you need to find ways to resolve conflict promptly to avoid tension build-up. Worst case scenario, a conflict could escalate into a physical altercation or even termination. Therefore, you need to anticipate various difficult situations at the workplace and nip them in the bud before things get out of hand.
Let’s look into some of the top 6 practical tips to deal with difficult situations at work.
1. Encourage Open Communication
Difficult situations often arise at work because colleagues are unable to communicate effectively. You might find it easier to become hostile towards your colleague rather than express your anger, frustration, or disappointment. However, colleagues who fear retaliation or don’t feel safe enough to express themselves in the office might resort to violence or suppress their feelings. It would be best to create a culture of honest communication where you can open up when someone wrongs you in the workplace.
2. Don’t Take Things Personally
Your coworker might call you stupid or careless for sending the wrong file to the printer or misplacing an important document for an important meeting. Remember that people might say things they don’t mean during heightened emotions. If you choose to take their harsh words personally, you will carry that resentment in your heart wherever you go. Since you have no control over other people’s behavior, you can change how you respond. Explain that you are sorry for the inconvenience you caused and let them know they need not be too harsh.
3. Avoid Attacking The Person
Everybody makes mistakes at one point in time. It is easy to focus on the one who made a mistake and make them feel bad for their actions. Attacking the person in the wrong will only make them defensive and escalate the situation further. It would be best to refrain from using heavy words that could cause a heated argument. It would be best to seek clarification and put yourself in their shoes to understand why they did what they did. The next step would be to find a solution to the problem and ensure the mistake doesn’t happen again.
4. Hire A Lawyer To Fight For Your Rights
Even though the conflict in the workplace is expected, some cases are more complicated than others. For instance, your colleague might accuse you of sexual assault because they are jealous of you or want you to get fired. False accusations can affect your personal and professional life. In this case, you need to fight back by following the right channels. Ensure you seek a sex crime attorney to help protect your rights and reputation against false harassment claims. Ensure the attorney you want to has the experience dealing with similar cases. Ensure that you stay calm and avoid any form of retaliation.
5. Listen More Than You Speak
Sometimes to quell a problematic situation, you need to put the other person’s needs before your own and listen to their side of the story. Active listening requires great effort and patience on your side. At times, you might have the urge to interrupt them to get your point across. However, it would help to listen attentively without being defensive or offering unnecessary criticism. Your colleague will appreciate your gift of patience and understanding and give you a chance to tell your truth. As you offer a listening ear, remember not to suspend your needs too much that the other person takes advantage of you.
6. Reconcile Your Interests
Some people might act hostile towards you because they feel threatened or intimidated by your presence or performance in the office. For instance, your colleague might lash out at you for being a perfectionist, making them look like they are slacking on the job. While you are simply trying to do a decent job, they think you are competing with them. It would help to sit down with your coworker and let them know that you are not trying to outshine them. Remind them that you share a common objective to achieve the organizational goals.
Work Wrap Up
We all have different upbringing, values, and perceptions. The downside of this diversity in the workplace is the increased likelihood of conflict. Fortunately, if you follow the tips we have discussed in this article, you will be better positioned to handle difficult situations at work. After all, you want a harmonious and comfortable work environment!