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How do I know whether a conflict is due to a personality clash?
Home » Management » Conflict in the Workplace » How do I know whether a conflict is due to a personality clash?Ask yourself (or the person in question) to answer these questions honestly:
Am I always frustrated or angry with the other person, or just when certain work-related issues crop up?
Am I treating this person differently, or responding to disagreements more vehemently, than I would with other co-workers that I enjoy being with?
Do I respect or enjoy this person in other circumstances?
Am I being overly critical of everything this person does or says?
If you answer honestly, or ask your employees involved in conflict to answer these questions, the label should be clear. And if it is indeed a personality conflict, here are a few tips to help deal with the situation:
Understand that people are different. You shouldn’t and can’t expect everyone to be just like you. That’d be boring!
Treat the person as you’d like to be treated. That means being reasonable, polite, respectful, and tolerant, even when you’re frustrated.
Put your effort into making your workplace more comfortable and enjoyable. Spending all your time griping or fuming about someone who rubs you the wrong way will just make you unpleasant for others to be around, which will cause a whole new wrinkle.
On the other hand, if you decide that the conflict is truly just over business ideas, actions, or choices, then it’s time to address those differences. Try:
Sticking to the issue at hand. Don’t bring other arguments, beliefs, or issues into the discussion. Just work through the topic you’re on and forget about the rest.
Understand and appreciate that others think differently than you. Accept that he or she might even bring a greater, or different, understanding to the table that will actually help, not hinder, you business.
Agree to solve the problem, rather than win the argument. This means you might have to eat crow, admit you’re wrong, or, in the very least, compromise. Don’t let your pride stand in the way of succeeding.
If all else fails—or before you fail—ask others to intervene. A neutral, third-party might be able to help you come to a compromise.
Related Conflict in the Workplace Articles
- What is Conflict in the Workplace?
- How do I know whether a conflict is due to a personality clash?
- Is there any value to Conflict in the Workplace?
- What role do generational differences play in workplace conflict?
- What can the company do to reduce Workplace Conflict?
- Why should the company address Workplace Conflict?