Resolve Conflicts

One of the roles of a leader is to resolve conflicts that happen between employer and employee and within a team. Conflicts happen because of opposing and differences in opinions, principles or actions. The disagreements are either shown in subtle form or aggressively.

A disgruntled member of a group can misdirect others from accomplishing the goals that have been set. As a leader, you must work out the disagreements before the situation gets out of hand. In trying to resolve conflicts, remember that people are responsible for their own actions and reactions. Your role as a leader is to stop the misunderstandings from building up and become uncontrollable.

Disagreements are sometimes good. It is normal to have someone see things differently. A person who mismatch in his ways of perceiving will let you see in the opposite direction, something that you may not have noticed. It will allow you and the other members of your group to open the minds, explore and discover what the other person perceives. There are always many ways of looking at things.

Determine the source and cause of the conflicts.

Knowing these will enable you to determine whether the discord happens because of differences in thinking, perceiving, values or personalities. You can then find a solution by either guiding them to build better rapport and then find points where they can come to an agreement. If the cause arises from miscommunication, you may need to present the right words that fit in with the values, beliefs and visions in order for them to understand.

Ask questions.

Explore their minds by asking questions that will provide the crucial information so that they will have to explain and justify their problems. Then ask more questions. By repeatedly asking questions, you make their brains work to reflect, find answers and see things from a different angle.

People who disagree have their own positive intentions and moving away from something they dislike. You may need to bring them out of their old habitual patterns of thinking and perceiving by questioning their motives.

Encourage everyone to listen.

People don't need more instructions, threats or intimidations to solve their problems. Ask each one to listen to the other person's or team's point of view. Encourage others to see higher things than getting in a quarrel. Discourage them from allowing negativity to take over their minds.

Tell the people in conflicts to consider other viewpoint or proposal and change their focus. You assist people to resolve conflicts and come to agreements by making them aware and suggesting choices.

Show them the bigger picture.

People may disagree and create conflict because they forget and get caught up with trivia and lose focus. Remind and guide them to see the end result by running through and allowing their minds to visualize the outcome of the set goal.

Remind them that their future is determined by the decisions and the behaviors that they make in the present. Encourage them to take positive actions toward a worthwhile ideal instead of bickering.

Additional Resource

Conflict resolution strategies and tools for work and personal life. Learn how to truly relax, reduce stress, and experience inner peace.

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