Conflict Resolution: Definition, Process, Skills, ExamplesUpdated on February 26, 2022 Show
Photo: Maddy Price / The Balance Conflict resolution skills are required for a wide range of positions across many job sectors. This requirement is based on the fact that conflict tends to reduce productivity and create a difficult work environment, leading to unwanted turnover in staff and reduced morale. Individuals who are able to resolve conflicts are often excellent mediators, rational, and able to manage difficult personalities from a place of empathy. Learn about conflict resolution, including types of conflict resolution, examples, and how the conflict resolution process works. What Is Conflict Resolution?Conflict resolution is the process by which two or more parties reach a peaceful resolution to a dispute. In the workplace, there can be a variety of types of conflict:
NoteSome conflicts are essentially arbitrary, meaning it doesn’t matter who “wins,” only that the problem is resolved so everyone can get back to work. But some conflicts reflect real disagreements about how an organization should function. The resolution of conflicts in the workplace typically involves some or all of the following processes:
Types of Conflict Resolution SkillsAssertivenessA supervisor might take the initiative to convene a meeting between two employees who have engaged in a public dispute. An employee might seek out a person with whom they're having conflict to suggest working together to find ways to co-exist more peacefully.
Interviewing and Active ListeningA human resources representative might have to ask questions and listen carefully to determine the nature of a conflict between a supervisor and a subordinate.
EmpathyA mediator might encourage empathy by asking employees in conflict to each describe how the other might be feeling and thinking, and how the situation might look to the other party. Empathy is also an important skill for mediators, who must be able to understand each party’s perspective, without necessarily agreeing with either.
FacilitationManagers of rival departments might facilitate a joint brainstorming session with their teams to generate solutions to ongoing points of conflict. Group facilitation techniques can also be used to avoid triggering conflict during group decision-making in the first place.
MediationA supervisor might guide subordinates who are in conflict through a process to identify mutually agreeable changes in behavior.
Problem SolvingA supervisor might redefine the roles of two conflict-prone staff to simply eliminate points of friction. Creativity can also mean finding new win/win solutions.
AccountabilityA supervisor might document conflict-initiating behaviors exhibited by a chronic complainer as preparation for a performance appraisal. In this way, the supervisor helps establish accountability, since the employee can no longer pretend the problem isn’t happening.
More Conflict Resolution Skills
Examples of Conflict Resolution Skills
How to Make Your Skills Stand OutADD RELEVANT SKILLS TO YOUR RESUME: Include the terms most closely related to the job in your resume, especially in the description of your work history. HIGHLIGHT SKILLS IN YOUR COVER LETTER: You can incorporate conflict resolution skills into your cover letter, and include examples of instances when you used them at work. USE SKILL WORDS DURING JOB INTERVIEWS: You can also use these words in your job interviews. Be prepared to share examples. The Balance uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. What is a conflict resolution technique used to explain how and why another person's actions affect the speaker?I-Statement A conflict resolution technique used to explain how and why one person's action affects the speaker. instead of about his or her action in this situation.
What are the 5 methods of conflict resolution?This article outlines five different approaches to conflict management and the situations they are most appropriate for.. Accommodation. This is a lose/win situation. ... . Compromise. ... . Avoidance. ... . Competition. ... . Collaboration.. What are methods of conflict resolution?Conflicts can be resolved in a variety of ways, including negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and litigation.
What is the meaning of conflict resolution?Conflict resolution is a way for two or more parties to find a peaceful solution to a disagreement among them. The disagreement may be personal, financial, political, or emotional. When a dispute arises, often the best course of action is negotiation to resolve the disagreement.
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