Question
Why does workplace conflict resolution require communication and conversations?
Answer
There is no perfect solution. There is not going to be one solution that gives every single character in the story exactly what they want, even you. Do not wait to figure out in your mind that one perfect situation before you engage in conflict resolution. You are not helpless. You have options. Those options might be including having a conversation with human resources. It may even lead to you changing departments or leaving the particular job as a whole, but you are not helpless. Know you have options.
Also, you have a choice on how you respond. My 13-year-old, who is dealing with anger management issues as a teen, is having a problem accepting this too. He feels that people make him mad. I am telling him, as I also am for you, that the window may be small, but there is always a window of opportunity. You have between the catalyst, the thing that is causing the conflict, and your response. With practice, that window can grow larger because it will be you being able to implement these strategies across whatever situation, no matter how great or small.
A recent survey found that 61% of employees delay or avoid initiating a conversation they should have with a coworker or supervisor. That is, six out of ten people at your office right now are delaying or avoiding a conversation they know they need to have with a coworker or supervisor. At any given moment, on any given day, six out of ten people are stuffing and suppressing something they need addressing. They have unmet needs and unmet expectations.
Suppose 60% of everyone walking around offices and interacting today feels they need to be heard or have unmet needs and expectations. In that case, it creates a negative workplace and culture. We want to be part of the solution rather than this 60%. We want to be part of this 40% that lets maturity rise to the top as we effectively handle communication.
This Ask the Expert is an edited excerpt from the course, Respiratory Therapy Conflict Resolution and Application in the Workplace, presented by Mira Rollins, OTR/L.
