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Can you Turn Workplace Conflict into an Invaluable Productivity Tool in Your Projects

Workplace conflict can lead to ruined relationships, broken teams, and compromised projects.

But conflict can also bring a host of other benefits to an organization. For instance, constructive conflict can drive positive changes that can improve the quality of the final deliverable.

Many people don’t believe that conflict can be constructive and productive. We can mine useful resolutions from reasonable disagreements but only if we have what it takes to engage in constructive conflict.

It is not easy to argue opinions in a workplace setting where you have to contradict workmates, compromise relationships, or even risk standing against your senior. Conflicting constructively is a skill many PMs, and their team members are yet to familiarize with.

At first, the process may seem complicated because it involves employing many skills simultaneously, and controlling emotions— which is not an easy thing to do. But continuous practice can ensure you master the art of contradicting workmates without annoying them.

Why Team Members Don’t take part in Productive Conflict

What’s the conflict culture in your organization? Does your project team engage in conflict, or do you shy off and treat it as a cause of churn among crew members?

If you find that you are the manager who never receives, notices, or accepts any positive resistance from your team, then maybe your organization has a poor workplace conflict culture.

But, on the whole, team members find workplace conflict uncomfortable because of many reasons such as;

• Fear of ruining staff-staff relationships
• They don’t know to conflict productively
• Fear of harming others emotionally
• A poor one-sided conflict culture where some people’s opinions don’t matter
• Fear of standing up against their seniors

The above are the most common reasons, but workers could shy off from arguing their opinions for many other whys and wherefores.

Healthy Conflict Can Help Drive Your Projects the Right Way

A well-organized conflict culture enjoys a lot of benefits from the practice. When team members raise reasonable disagreements and express different opinions, your project is likely to head the right way.

Conflicts often lead to a more in-depth look into alternatives and drive more informed decisions giving projects a sense of direction.

People who (in their career line) shy off from taking part in workplace conflict miss a chance to achieve the things that matter to them and their vision.

Poor argument and workplace communication skills  deny you a chance to grow in your career; that’s why this topic should matter to you.

Here’s how to practice constructive conflict in your place of work.

 How to Solve Conflict like a Pro

This set of best practices can ensure you conflict constructively with your team members.

1.  Consider a different viewpoint

Picture your colleague’s point of view, whatever they feel, and think. Don’t be judgmental; use open questions. Ponder over and breakdown what you make of the other person’s opinion.

Show empathy and inform them when you’ve understood their point. Seek further explanation if anything is not clear.

2.  Come up with Remedies

Most conflicts are often triggered by a thin line, and many times a remedy can be worked out by weighing between the two opinions and choosing the lowest risk option, incorporating both strategically (where applicable) or considering a different alternative.

3. Express your feelings

Address your teammate with honesty and be clear in your explanations. Be careful with your choice of words— show courtesy, but don’t lose your and professionalism.

Dot all is, cross all Ts and keep your emotions out of the process.

4. Seek to reconcile with your teammate

Conflicts can get out of hand; you can hurt others even when you don’t expect to. That’s why you must be the first to apologize for any emotional harm created by workplace arguments and seek to make peace with your colleagues.

5.  Maintain a professional attitude

This step is crucial in moving on from workplace conflict. Always remember that the goal of workplace conflict is to better a project and not outdo teammates.

Whatever the outcome, maintain a professional attitude and additionally, move forward with the team’s final decision.

Conclusion.

Conflict can be constructive and productive however, always use this reminder to stay on track before you attend any interactive session.