Working in a professional environment often means interacting with a variety of different personalty types—and having to consider many different opinions, ideas, and leadership styles. Unsurprisingly, navigating all the aforementioned factors can often be a difficult undertaking, sometimes leading to spats with coworkers, or tension between you and your boss. And even with most people working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic, these factors still manage to cause issues.
From effective communication to necessary—and sometimes virtual—distancing, these tips will help you minimize conflict at work when you and your colleagues just don't see eye to eye.
From effective communication to necessary—and sometimes virtual—distancing, these tips will help you minimize conflict at work when you and your colleagues just don't see eye to eye.
1. Identify the type of problem you have.
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"With personal issues, I've found the best way to address them is to bring them up with the person in casual, private conversation," Hill says. "If the person doesn't listen and keeps doing what they're doing, it's up to you to fix the situation for yourself, not to demand that the other person change their behavior." Professional issues, however, have an impact on the productivity and efficiency of your company. "In these cases, I think it's warranted to bring them up to your supervisor or manager rather than addressing the issue personally," says Hill. "Often you'll find your manager is already aware of the problem and taking steps to fix it."
2. Minimize your contact with that person.
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3. Ask questions.
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Open communication may help you understand your colleague's background and point of view, which can help you find a middle ground and respect their side of things even if you don't agree with them.
4. Find the right time to talk.
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Trying to "mend feelings or disagreements" is only made worse when approaching someone at the wrong time, says Laura Fuentes, operator of Infinity Dish. If someone has other urgent business to deal with or perhaps they're helping their kids with school at home—or if they're already in a sour mood—she recommends waiting to discuss your grievances with them.
5. Seek the opinion of a neutral third party.
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"Many companies have an HR director or a neutral CEO who is trained and experienced at helping team members navigate differences of opinion or other issues," she says. "Depending on your business, it is in the company's best interest that these issues be brought to a manager or CEO in order to address the situation and keep the team on track to fulfill its duties to your shareholders, clients, or consumers."
6. Remember that you don't have to be friends with everyone you work with.
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"You don't always have to like everyone that you work with or work for, but you do have to work together for the job to get done," says Stephanie Lane, an HR manager and lifestyle coach. "There will always be people with whom you don't see eye to eye, but the real character of a person is how that disparity manifests itself. Being right is not nearly as important as your character, reputation, and job ethics."
7. Remain respectful.
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"Executives need to understand that we don't know it all, and team members need to understand that decisions are not black or white in business, especially for management," she says. "Maintaining respect for opinions, strategies, and methodology can help both parties analyze a proposal and move forward together with a decision."
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