Workplace disagreements are sometimes inevitable. The office can be a stressful, competitive place and that doesn’t always bring out the best in everyone and handling these office conflicts can be confusing. We can’t apply tactics that might work when we’re fighting with a friend, like simply avoiding them and hoping the problem will resolve itself. And since this conflict is going down in a professional setting, we have to be extra careful with our words, attitude and general handling of the situation. But when we put aside our egos and are willing to listen, find common ground, and respectfully engage with our coworkers.
Here are a few ways to resolve it in a professional and courteous manner that won’t get you fired:
Address The Conflict.
If trouble has been brewing between you and a coworker for a while, don’t wait until you both feel completely hostile towards one another. Addressing the issue early will prevent it from snowballing into an even bigger problem.
Discuss The Problem Face-To-Face
Don’t let the problem marinate any longer than you have to; schedule a face-to-face meeting in a private setting with your coworker, and block off plenty of time so that both of you can express where you’re coming from.
Keep An Open Mind And Listen
The key ingredient to understanding a coworker’s point of view is listening to how and why they feel how they feel. When it’s your colleague’s turn to talk, hear them out and don’t interrupt. However, once they’ve made their case, don’t be afraid to ask respectful and thoughtful questions if you feel unclear about any points they raised.
Stay Calm
Easier said than done, you might be thinking. But there are steps you can take to help yourself stay calm and collected. If you’re prone to becoming emotional quickly, bring notes with your key points and refer to them to keep yourself on track. It may even be helpful to role play the “worst case scenario” with a friend the evening before your meeting.
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