Navigating workplace conflicts can be tricky because you don’t want to escalate the situation. It’s tough arguing with a colleague because you don’t want to be the bad guy or turn them into one, so here are a few mistakes you should avoid:
Not hearing their side
You may be tempted to argue with a colleague, but you must hear them out before making any rash decisions. Your colleague may have acted out of anger, need, or unavoidable circumstances, so it’s best to ask them what happened before arguing.
Getting HR involved too early
Although HR must be involved in workplace conflicts, getting them involved too early can worsen the situation. Involving HR may make a colleague feel unwelcome or cornered, especially if the issue turns out to be simple.
Personal attacks
You may not get along with your colleagues, but it doesn’t mean you have to disrespect them. Insulting a colleague, making snide remarks, or dragging personal affairs into workplace conflicts will affect your and your colleague’s reputation.
Publicizing their mistakes
Never air a colleague’s dirty laundry, even if you’re arguing. It’s better to discuss all conflicts in a safe, private place so you don’t let other colleagues in on the situation, especially without the parties' consent.
Making assumptions
Never jump the gun and assume about a colleague’s actions or behaviors before you have concrete proof. You could seriously impact a colleague’s reputation and cause them emotional and mental stress, which will be a bad look for everyone involved.
Being dismissive
Don’t ignore your colleague’s words. If a colleague approaches you with a serious matter, look into it and exhaust all options before drawing a conclusion. Don’t dismiss a colleague’s concerns since it could impact the entire company.
Not providing evidence
If you feel that your colleague did something unprofessional, try to find evidence before bringing the issue to light. Similarly, don’t discuss any rumors without having concrete proof that they happened.
Being passive-aggressive
Don’t make snide remarks or be passive-aggressive toward a colleague who may be arguing with you. Such behavior will only impact your credibility and might escalate the situation.
Not taking responsibility
While you’d like to think your colleague is at fault, consider the possibilities where they aren’t. It’s possible that you might have messed up somewhere, but avoiding responsibility will only impact conflict resolution.
Lacking empathy
Sometimes, showing kindness and compassion to a colleague can go a long way. A simple act of kindness could topple the entire conflict within minutes, so staying empathetic is important instead of being rude and apathetic.
Using the seniority card
If you use your position in the workplace to intimidate a colleague or prove that you’re right, you’re only creating a bad image of yourself and affecting your credibility. It’s also seen as a power tactic and might make your colleague terrified of being upfront.
Escalating the situation
Don’t do anything that could potentially worsen the situation. Don’t act aggressively or shout when angered; instead, try to be calm and collected and actively work toward a solution.
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This article was first published at Spatula Desserts.
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