There are times in places like these that work-groups seem to really go for a new idea, and at other times it seems these people just cannot work together or at best they just sit there in stony silence.
What happens when it seems that when someone suggests an alternate point of view, someone else is always there to bat it down? Paralyzed, group members just sink back in their chairs, possibly eager to say something, but feeling resentful of those in the room who disagree with them.
How To Deal With Conflict At Work
There's nothing wrong with disagreement in the workplace, as long as it's dealt with rationally. People can help themselves here by observing how they are showing up, strategizing, and keeping their emotions in check. This is the soundest way to deal constructively with the reality of on-the-job arguments.
This process begins with managing workplace relationships strategically. In brief, managers need to spend enough time figuring out who the decision makers are and bringing them over to their side. Without this preparation they can jump into the fray without the safety net of others’ support.
Five Steps to Prepare for a Contentious Workplace
- Find out who the allies and challengers are.
- Share positions on the contentious agenda topic ahead of time.
- Don’t get caught off guard. Good managers make it their business to "know where John stands."
- Personalize the audience and know what their concerns and objectives are.
- Prepare for debate with the people who are still dissenters.
Visualize where the disagreements come from and think about what might be said that will hit a hot button and possibly lead to an emotional reaction. Perhaps in severe cases, one or more individuals are out to intentionally sabotage a person’s viewpoint. If that is a possibility, they can tell their supporters about it beforehand.
An effective way to keep from alienating people is to let them know they are being heard. By modeling the behavior, this shows people they are respected, that everyone needs to be open minded and all can have the floor. Paraphrasing their statements back to them is one way to do this.
Try to get others to take another look at an issue without making them feel attacked. Play devil's advocate: “Let's take a look at what could go wrong."
It is also important to remember that many people lack confidence in their jobs or careers, especially in a down economy. They might be fearful that they'll lose their job if they don't come up with a good argument.
Handling business disagreements without falling into a raging conflict can seem like a tightrope walk. Managers tend to be strong, opinionated, and smart. The workplace doesn’t always have people agreeing with everyone. It's people who can handle this dynamic that can disagree without tremendous frustration.
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