As stated in Forbes Magazine in May 2018, conflict in the workplace is not always a bad thing, however ignoring it, always is. Healthy conflict can help lead to questions and discussions, and this can help open up new ways of thinking and create more innovative solutions to problems. Through open conversations, debates and brainstorming, healthy conflict can be one of the best catalysts for change and improvement.
Lisa Gates, a negotiation consultant and frequent contributor to Forbes Woman and LinkedIn reveals a simple six step roadmap for effective conflict resolution.
- Identifying the issues – The ability to begin a conversation and identify the nature of disagreement and focus on the facts
- Building Trust – Choose to make every effort to move through the discovery phase of the conversation
- Asking Diagnostic Questions – This will help to understand the different concerns, interests and needs from all sides
- Reframing Strategies – The objective is to focus on the issue rather than on the people and move from the past to the future
- Brainstorming – This helps to explore mutual interests as well as common values and experiences
- Getting to agreement – Consider proposals and chose solutions that will meet the highest number of mutual interests and needs
Watch a video and learn more about conflict resolution.
