The ability to manage conflict in the workplace is an important skill to possess as a manager. It is an inevitable part of everyday life in business, and it will frequently surface. Lacking the skills and training to handle workplace conflict carries many serious and long-term consequences. As a manager, your personal success depends on it, as well as the success of your employees, department and organization. It is a business skill that needs to be developed and incorporated into your organization’s best practices.

1. Anticipate

The first and most important step to managing conflict in the workplace is to be proactive and anticipate conflicts before they arise. Being observant and keeping yourself on high alert will help you to quickly identify potential conflicts before they arise. Knowing your staff and their needs well will help you accomplish this.

2. Identify

If you cannot identify a conflict, you will not be able to manage or solve it. In order to identify an existing conflict, you will need to probe into the root cause of it.

3. Listen

Once the conflict is identified, do not form an opinion until you have listened to each party involved. Make every effort to remain neutral without taking sides. It is important to offer each party your full and undivided attention. Never make assumptions and always ask questions to clarify and evaluate the issues.

4. Compromise

As the mediator and problem solver of the conflict, work to obtain a compromise that will be acceptable to those involved. Learning to compromise will empower your employees to sharpen their communication, customer service and negotiating skills.

5. Resolve

Once a resolution is reached, ensure all parties fully agree and are satisfied with the outcome, agreeing to uphold their end of the bargain. Following through from the beginning to the end of the conflict will guarantee a full and successful resolution.

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