No matter if you are in the workplace or at home with family, we all experience conflict. We may try anything at all costs to prevent it, but sometimes that does not always work in our favor. So, what steps should we take to resolve it? We believe conflict can be resolved by taking steps in communicating, listening, working together, following up and escalating if the conflict is still unsolved.
The first step in resolving a conflict is to acknowledge it and communicate together. First, find an environment that is quiet and safe to talk alone. Express how you feel about the situation with honesty and genuineness. Make sure you stay calm and collected. If you show signs of anger or frustration, it may make the situation worse. Focus on the conflict itself rather than going off track and bringing up any unnecessary comments.
Actively listen
Actively listening goes hand in hand with communicating. To actively listen, make the effort to understand and retain the information the other party is giving. Be patient and do not interrupt or put blame on them. Stay engaged and respond when necessary to show that you are taking the time to hear their side. Understanding both sides of the situation will help you find common ground and create a foundation for finding a solution.
Work together
Now that you have communicated and listened to each other, you must work together to solve the issue at hand. Remember, both parties must come to a reasonable solution that can be agreed on. Do not have one try to dominate the other, each person should give their thoughts on what measures can be taken.
Follow up
Once you have agreed on what each party will work on to resolve the issue and are in the process of doing so, make sure to follow up with each other. You want to do this to ensure that everyone is actively working towards the common goal you committed to. Again, this is where communication and listening become important. If things are running smoothly and the goal is close to accomplishment, then keep going. If things are still not working, this is where we must add an extra step.
Sometimes conflicts cannot be resolved for one reason or another. If this happens, you should try considering escalating to someone who might be able to help. For example, this could be a manager, family member, or perhaps another friend. Have each person explain their side of the story and actively listen to whomever you have consulted to’s advice. Follow through with what they recommend and start the process of communicating over, listening, working together and following through.
Conflict happens often and it is important to know what steps should be taken to resolve it. By communicating, actively listening, working together, following through and escalating if needed, your conflict should hopefully be resolved.