Workplace conflicts happen when two or more people disagree over a decision or position on work related issues.
This happens from tops to bottom in any business or workplace as a result of poor or lack of communication, Intolerance, lack of understanding.
Workplace conflicts types include:
- Leadership Conflicts: when leadership styles causes friction,
- Personality based conflicts: some may find another staff’s personality offensive. Character traits are different
- Creative Ideas Conflict: when there is disagreement over project execution idea among colleagues.
- Discrimination: when this happen as a result of age, religion, race, sex etc
- Interdependence/task based Conflict: When one unit or department ‘s deliverables are dependent on another and there is delay resulting in conflict.
- Work style Conflict: when some will rather work either as a group or independently and without supervision.
When conflict is left unresolved can affect the organisation’s corporate culture, dampen staff morale and this can ultimately result in high staff turnover, drop in revenue or even litigation.
Workplace conflicts are preventable when colleagues
- understand themselves
- show empathy, acknowledge the other person’s opinion and show concern
- talk about issues dispassionately and find a balance
- practice active listening, ask question to clarify their position and reach an understanding.
Headliner Omolola