Communication and Conflict Resolution Training
Communication and Conflict resolution training
Conflict at work is inevitable: you are bound to get some.
The reason you are bound to see conflict is that people do not have the same ideas:
- What you think is good: they think is bad.
- What you think is unacceptable, they think is normal behaviour.
- What you think is true they think is false.
So you will need to learn conflict management skills.
Conflict can be split into two main categories:
- The first is Intellectual Conflict
- The second is conflict based upon behaviour
Intellectual conflict
Intellectual conflict is based on mis-communication or disagreement of content.
Example of mis-communication error:
When you said "as soon as possible" I thought you meant "tomorrow".
Differences of opinion on what constitutes "the good"
Example of disagreement of content i.e. intellectual disagreement.
You believe that astrological star signs should be included in our selection process: And I don't.
The second form of conflict is conflict based upon behaviour
The second form of conflict is based, NOT on misunderstanding, but on poor behaviour.
Examples:
- They understand that they should be at work at 0900, but they come in late almost every day.
- He understands that he should not swear in meetings, but he does.
- He understands that he should wear safety boots, but he keeps failing to wear his safety boots!
So we have two categories of conflict:
- Intellectual
- Behavioural
Conflict Management Training
Conflict is inevitable, because people disagree. Therefore, you must be able to handle conflict situations effectively. You must know how to be assertive, clear and professional (not emotional, upset and angry) whilst in conflict. If you want to learn more on how to achieve this, please click here to see our conflict management training.
How should you deal with each type?
Here are some brief notes on each:
Resolving conflicts based on poor communication
1. Act from professional principles not according to your feelings or mood.
When you are at work: don't act according to how you feel: Instead, act according to principles:
If you act according to how you feel, your behaviour will be inconsistent, changing as your mood changes, from hour to hour.
Instead decide how you wish to be perceived and act accordingly.
Act accordingly... Even on the days you don't feel like it.
If you would like to be perceived, as fair, professional and positive:
Then write that on a post-it note and stick it where you will see it.|
Strive to live up to your own example: irrespective of what the others are doing: and irrespective of your mood.
2. The need for clear communication
Work on your language skills.
When speaking and writing, strive to be as clear as you can.
Study language. Read a grammar book. Be wary of ambiguous language.
Ambiguous language is defined as "Any word or and phrase that can be properly interpreted in more than one way".
Ambiguous language will cost you dearly. Because he will interpret your message one way, when you meant it in the other way.
Such confusion will cost you time, money and many arguments.
Strive for clarity at all times.
3. Focus on what CAN BE DONE, not on what cannot be done
Many people will spend much time detailing:
- What they can't do.
- What they won't do.
- What they are against.
- What they don't like.
When this happens
Don't ask them "WHY?" or "WHY NOT?"
Instead: ask them "IF NOT, THEN WHAT?"
- If they can't do this, then what can they do?
- If they won't do that, then what WILL they do?
- If you are against this, then what are your FOR?
- If you don't like this, then what would you put in its place?
5. Distinguish between legitimate criticism and cynicism
Conflict implies criticism. Criticism is good: if it is:
- Honest
- Accurate
- Specific
- Non emotional
Criticism can degenerate into cynicism, in which case it is BAD for business. Cynicism is BAD criticism:
- Dis-honest
- Inaccurate
- Nonspecific
- Highly emotionalised
Communication Skills Training
Do you ever think to yourself, "I know what I mean, but I can't explain it"? You need to be able communicate facts, feelings, information and ideas, in a clear, professional and confident manner. If you want to learn more about our communication skills training, please click here.
6. How to improve your listening skills
Improve your listening skills by the following three steps
- Decide to listen more and speak less
- When listening, listen out for the persons POINT: their conclusion: their suggested action plan.
- Then listen for: the reasons WHY they believe their point is correct.
Resolving conflicts based on poor behaviour
1. Remember to let them save face
Don't fall into the trap of trying to beat the person in the argument.
If you do beat the other person, in many ways you still lose: because you damage the relationship.
Always try to give the person the means of saving face: especially if the conflict is being witnessed by others.
2. Use factual language, NOT emotionalised, highly charged language
When in conflict: stick to using factual, objective language
Don't use opinionated, emotionalised language.
"You are twenty minutes late for the meeting."
Is a better use of language than "You were totally unprofessional?"
3. Always prepare your message in advance
In order to comply with the suggestion above, you will need to work out what you are going to say
(and NOT say) in advance of the meeting.
DON'T just walk into his office and let rip!
4. Always give them a specific "way out" of the conflict situation
Always know what you are going to ask him for.
Knowing that X is wrong leaves open the question of "what is right".
If you don't want him to wear his Homer Simpson tie whist on a sales call, then exactly what kind of tie should he wear?
5. Distinguish between "reasons" and "excuses" for not doing something
Eliminate from your mind the concept of "A reasonable excuse". A reasonable-excuse is a contradiction in terms.
His explanation should be categorised by you as a reason OR an excuse.
Distinguish between a reason and an excuse and have a different policy for each.
6. Learn when to compromise and when not to
Compromise is the act of finding the middle ground. Sometimes compromising is good.
Sometimes to compromise would be the worst thing that you can do
There are many issues upon which you should never compromise.
Make a list of the items upon which there can be no compromise.
Then stand firm on the things that you should and when necessary, give- ground on the rest.
7.Watch the body language and listen for the voice tone
Be wary of aggressive or submissive body language and voice tones
When in conflict pay attention to your:
Voice volume - Not too loud- not too timid.
Voice pitch - Not squeaky, high pitched, shrill.
Posture - Sit or stand upright.
Gestures - NO pointing.
Eye contact - Sufficient to imply your self-confidence.
8. Keep control of yourself
When in work conflict, don't get demonstratively over emotional.
Even if you are emotional: don't demonstrate that, until you are in a safe place to let it all out.
If you let-out all your emotional content, in the wrong place, then many bad things will befall you.
- You expose yourself to ridicule
- You distract people from your main message
- You expose yourself to those people who play on others emotions: i.e.
- Windup merchants
- Social bully's
- Manipulative types
About the Author: Chris Farmer
Chris Farmer is the founder of the Corporate Coach Group and has many years’ experience in training leaders and managers, in both the public and private sectors, to achieve their organisational goals, especially during tough economic times. He is also well aware of the disciplines and problems associated with running a business.
Over the years, Chris has designed and delivered thousands of training programmes and has coached and motivated many management teams, groups and individuals. His training programmes are both structured and clear, designed to help delegates organise their thinking and, wherever necessary, to improve their techniques and skills.
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Further Reading in Conflict Management and Handling Difficult People
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How to Deal With Difficult Employees
Whether difficult employees disagree with our current plan, or their behaviour is challenging, they should be treated according to the principles of reason. We examine the steps that should be taken when dealing with difficult people.
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How to Handle Conflict Situations
It is important that managers are able to handle conflict in an assertive, yet positive and professional manner. In order to do that they need to know the principles governing rational conflict management skills.
Read Article > -
Using Reason to Handle Difficult People
If you wish to get on with difficult people, then appeal to their sense of reason. Treat all problems, and all people according to the principles of reason.
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How to deal with a smelly person at work
If you have the task of telling a colleague that they smell, these are the steps you need to take.
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Dealing With Difficult Behaviour at Work
Every organisation has people who are difficult to work with. Handling these people can be challenging, but taking the time to learn how to deal with difficult people is worthwhile and will make your working environment a better place for everyone.
Read Article >
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