Conflict situations arise sooner or later, wherever there is an interaction between people. Modern business is based around relationships with colleagues, management, business partners, and of course, customers.
How to successfully and competently resolve conflicts? How to quell disputes? We have tremendous experience in group training. Over time, we have formed super effective ways to
Over time, we have formed super effective ways to overcome conflicts and are ready to share them with you.
What is Conflict?
Conflict is the interaction of people or groups, which occurs when their interests and positions are incompatible. This is a specific situation in which each of the conflicting parties takes a position that is incompatible in part or entirely with the other party’s position.
Rules of Engagement
What needs to be considered when resolving a dispute? You can be both a party to a business conflict and a mediator. It is imperative to understand that conflict is nothing catastrophic. This is the beginning of a new phase that will help you improve the situation – naturally if you resolve everything in the best possible way.
The ancient Greek saying attributed to Socrates goes that truth is born in a dispute. But it is essential to resolve conflicts correctly. There are specific strict rules of engagement to the boxing ring, and the same exists in the business environment. No matter the emotions that overwhelm you, it is necessary to pull yourself together and act reasonably.
You will still have to work with these people, and your own reputation as a reserved, polite, decent person will play into your hands in subsequent disputes. The following are three things you should avoid at all costs when resolving a dispute.
- Personal attacks
Never, and we cannot stress this enough, never target the interlocutor’s cultural or traditional values, personal qualities, appearance, and family members. Keep yourself within the framework of cultural behavior; refrain from being sarcastic, and so on.
- Remembering past conflicts and failures
Focus on the main subject of the current conflict; do not use the dispute as a way to express your accumulated grievances, trying to influence the interlocutor by recalling their past sins.
- Letting your emotions speak for you
How to keep calm? You can count up to 10 silently, you can practice measured breathing. In any case, it is important to remember that mediator’s peace of mind is half the solution!
Seven Golden Tips for Conflict Resolution
Let us take a closer look at what you should remember if you want to effectively and competently resolve the conflict to the maximum benefit of all parties
- Goals and motives
What are the goals and motives of all conflicting parties? What exactly does everyone want to get as a result? Please note that goals can be implicit. Sometimes a person may not be aware of their own hidden deep motives.
- Discuss the problem with the participation of every involved person
Are you arbitrating a dispute? Do not listen to each of the conflicting parties separately. This gives rise to arguments, gossip, and omissions. Lead the discussion openly with everyone involved present.
- Logical arguments instead of emotional
Try to appeal to the participants’ logic, learn to flexibly avoid sharp corners, and extinguish the emotional tension.
- Do not generalize!
Move from vague discussions to specifics. Do not say: you are always, frequently, never – only an accurate discussion of the current situation and facts. Otherwise, 
- “Why five.”
A great technique is to ask “Why?” five times to get to the core of the problem. Ask questions, delve into the situation, and if you are trying to reconcile the parties, let the participants freely express their thoughts and opinions. Alternatively, listen carefully to your opponent and their perspective if you are a participant in the conflict.
- Seek not the blame but resolution
The search for the culprit drags out the conflict, sinks it into the literal jungle. It is not important who is at fault. After all, you are a team; you have to reap the consequences together. Therefore, it is better to focus immediately on finding a way out of the conflict, taking action in concert.
- Draw and fixate the conclusions
Remember what strategies of behavior in the conflict have been successful to apply them in the future. After all, business relationships never do without conflict situations. Your task is to be ready!
Final Thoughts
Companies, branches, departments, and even separate employees contact us to learn how to behave in conflict situations and master practical conflict resolution skills. Any challenge should be accepted with dignity – calmly, confidently, not succumbing to emotions. This is the first thing we teach the participants of our training.
We also offer our comprehensive knowledge of strategies and methods of behavior in conflict situations. We teach algorithms to get out of conflicts with the most significant benefit for yourself and your company. Contact CMA Consulting today – we are always ready to support you.
