There is always something about a new year that (hopefully) engenders the sense of a fresh and promising beginning. Ideally, you took a well-deserved break and now, facing the 2012 working year, you are set to approach challenges effectively.
If we look back at December, there is a high chance that your workplace was filled to the brim with overwrought employees and an unshakeable feeling of tension. In these tricky financial times, year-end particularly signals a stressful period for managers and employees. Managers may have found it especially awkward around the negotiation of salaries and year-end bonuses. However that was dealt with, and despite how rested and rearing to embrace 2012 you are, negotiating conflict and reducing a stressful work environment are things you have to deal with all year. Before you fall back into the vicious cycle of burning out and illusory recovery, take heed of this four-stage conflict resolution model; I find that it includes constructive techniques to use in hairy situations with employees:
- Break the ice - The best way to do this is talk about something positive; compliment your employee on the good work he/she has carried out. Assure your employee of his/her value.
- Listen – Managers sometimes go into a resolution situation with a pre-conceived idea of the outcome and while they hear what’s being said they don’t listen to the underlying issues that may not be overtly verbalised. Show employees that you’re willing to understand their perspective and take into consideration the full picture. Perhaps the employee is having trouble at home or perhaps the conflict is a result of a long-lasting feud? This will help you understand and resolve the situation.
- Be mindful of your words– Reinforce a positive state of mind by using words of encouragement and support. More often than not in situations like these, it’s not so much what you say, but how it is said.
- Work towards a solution and don’t dwell on the problem - Positive solutions are better than brooding over a negative situation. Come up with attainable and realistic solutions.
Disputes in the workplace can put a spanner in the overall morale of the workplace, especially if not handled properly. It’s important to remember that you’re dealing with individuals that come from different backgrounds and different sets of stresses. Take this into account and the conflict can be resolved in a manner that truly appeases your employees and a win-win situation results.