How to effectively manage a team: conflict management in the workplace?
7 April 2014
Read by 4446 persons
Conflict resolution is a delicate yet essential step for managers. Sometimes, managing workplace conflicts is a significant part of their responsibilities. Robert Half offers management advice to help managers better handle these crises and avoid common mistakes in conflict resolution.
"A common mistake managers make is minimizing a problem or believing it will resolve itself. This is rarely the case. You must address problems before the situation escalates," recommends Valérie Sablé, Associate Director at Robert Half, who offers 4 key recommendations.
"Whether you manage five or fifty people, you will eventually face tensions and disagreements. To prevent a situation from escalating into open conflict, address problems head-on. Not only will your work ultimately be easier and more enjoyable, but you will also set an example for your team."
As a team manager, here is Robert Half's advice to help you better manage and resolve conflicts:
Speak to the employee personally
Is one of your employees constantly in conflict with their colleagues? The first management tip we can give you is to schedule a meeting. This will allow you to address the problem directly with them, explaining that you have the impression they have communication problems with other team members and that this is disrupting the smooth running of the department. Their behavior is detrimental to employee morale and productivity, which could ultimately prove very damaging.
As a team manager, during this meeting, you will need to maintain a neutral tone. Remain impartial and, above all, do not take sides. Otherwise, your employee will feel like you are harassing them!
The goal of this meeting is to understand their behavior in order to better address conflict resolution. The problem may be personal: a problem at home can influence behavior at work. If, on the other hand, the problem is purely professional, try to determine the cause. If they have recently been denied a raise or feel overqualified for their position, you may have found the problem.
At the end of the meeting, establish an action plan with the employee to resolve the problem. For example, if they are bored with their job, it is possible to consider training that will eventually allow them to take on another role in the company.
The team manager must act as a mediator
In managing workplace conflicts, the manager must take a mediator's position. If there is a problem between two employees within a team, be sure to speak with both to hear their respective versions of events. You can then determine if one employee is at fault or if they are both victims of an overload of work causing stress and nervousness.
Here too, you will need to prepare an action plan. Your employees will need to find common ground, for example, regarding the sharing of tasks. If they cannot agree, you, as a manager, will need to propose a solution and ensure that it is understood by both parties. Whatever your decision, remain impartial and objective. And regularly check that the terms of the agreement are being respected.
For better workplace conflict management, monitor your team's morale
Conflicts are particularly dangerous within a team. Indeed, a conflict between two people can quickly spread and cause significant damage. Ensure that your team members do not start taking sides. If you feel the situation is escalating, do not hesitate to reframe your employees.
If you are unable to assess the extent of a conflict, you can ask for the opinions of the different team members. On the one hand, this will show everyone that you are involved in the well-being of the team and that you take everyone's opinion into account. On the other hand, this will allow you to better assess the morale of your team.
Team cohesion: essential for conflict resolution
The best way to manage a workplace conflict is undoubtedly to anticipate as much as possible by promoting good relations between members of the same team. In this way, it is much easier to notice the inevitable small squabbles in the office. Here's how to achieve this: order meal trays during meetings. In this way, you will combine work and pleasure. Your employees will be able to get to know each other better, which is essential for better mutual understanding.
Roberthalf.fr
Posted online April 7, 2014.
"A common mistake managers make is minimizing a problem or believing it will resolve itself. This is rarely the case. You must address problems before the situation escalates," recommends Valérie Sablé, Associate Director at Robert Half, who offers 4 key recommendations.
"Whether you manage five or fifty people, you will eventually face tensions and disagreements. To prevent a situation from escalating into open conflict, address problems head-on. Not only will your work ultimately be easier and more enjoyable, but you will also set an example for your team."
As a team manager, here is Robert Half's advice to help you better manage and resolve conflicts:
Speak to the employee personally
Is one of your employees constantly in conflict with their colleagues? The first management tip we can give you is to schedule a meeting. This will allow you to address the problem directly with them, explaining that you have the impression they have communication problems with other team members and that this is disrupting the smooth running of the department. Their behavior is detrimental to employee morale and productivity, which could ultimately prove very damaging.
As a team manager, during this meeting, you will need to maintain a neutral tone. Remain impartial and, above all, do not take sides. Otherwise, your employee will feel like you are harassing them!
The goal of this meeting is to understand their behavior in order to better address conflict resolution. The problem may be personal: a problem at home can influence behavior at work. If, on the other hand, the problem is purely professional, try to determine the cause. If they have recently been denied a raise or feel overqualified for their position, you may have found the problem.
At the end of the meeting, establish an action plan with the employee to resolve the problem. For example, if they are bored with their job, it is possible to consider training that will eventually allow them to take on another role in the company.
The team manager must act as a mediator
In managing workplace conflicts, the manager must take a mediator's position. If there is a problem between two employees within a team, be sure to speak with both to hear their respective versions of events. You can then determine if one employee is at fault or if they are both victims of an overload of work causing stress and nervousness.
Here too, you will need to prepare an action plan. Your employees will need to find common ground, for example, regarding the sharing of tasks. If they cannot agree, you, as a manager, will need to propose a solution and ensure that it is understood by both parties. Whatever your decision, remain impartial and objective. And regularly check that the terms of the agreement are being respected.
For better workplace conflict management, monitor your team's morale
Conflicts are particularly dangerous within a team. Indeed, a conflict between two people can quickly spread and cause significant damage. Ensure that your team members do not start taking sides. If you feel the situation is escalating, do not hesitate to reframe your employees.
If you are unable to assess the extent of a conflict, you can ask for the opinions of the different team members. On the one hand, this will show everyone that you are involved in the well-being of the team and that you take everyone's opinion into account. On the other hand, this will allow you to better assess the morale of your team.
Team cohesion: essential for conflict resolution
The best way to manage a workplace conflict is undoubtedly to anticipate as much as possible by promoting good relations between members of the same team. In this way, it is much easier to notice the inevitable small squabbles in the office. Here's how to achieve this: order meal trays during meetings. In this way, you will combine work and pleasure. Your employees will be able to get to know each other better, which is essential for better mutual understanding.
Roberthalf.fr
Posted online April 7, 2014.
