How to Resolve Workplace Disputes Using the Power of Communication

Hello! Bonjour! ¡Hola!

November 21st is World Hello Day, an annual celebration marked by countries throughout the world. It was founded in 1973, in response to the Yom Kippur War, to express the belief that conflicts should be resolved through communication, rather than the use of force.

The aim for those celebrating is to greet at least 10 people on World Hello Day, sending a message of openness and goodwill to others. Although this may not directly result in international conflicts being settled peacefully, communicating on a personal level is often the solution to many disputes, especially between work colleagues.

In workplaces, it is almost inevitable that conflicts will arise. Whether a client has been lost, an administrative error has been made, or a disagreement has escalated, disputes are bound to occur. However, as with interpersonal problems outside of work, the key to finding a solution is communication.

Discuss the Issue

The best place to start is discussing exactly what the problem is. This gives both sides the platform to air their grievance, explain how it is affecting them, and determine why it has occurred. They are also able to better understand how the other side sees the problem.

Many conflicts stem from a lack of information, poor information, no information, or misinformation — all resulting from deficient communication. By simply inviting both parties to talk and open up about their problems, you are inviting them to use communication as a form of resolution.

Work Together to Find a Resolution

Now that the issue has been laid bare, it is important to facilitate continued communication in finding a solution. In the role of mediator, you must work with each party and encourage them to work cooperatively themselves. In many cases, the solution to any problem can be negotiated, and a middle ground secured, without the need for a total breakdown of the relationship.

At the stage where an agreement has been reached, it remains important to communicate with both sides to ensure that any agreed changes are being implemented and that an immediate relapse does not occur.

Preventing Future Problems

Effective internal communication is not only an excellent method of conflict resolution, but also crucial to preventing disputes from occurring. It is the role of the business to keep its staff and stakeholders informed of their responsibilities, what is expected of them, and any important information regarding the company itself. By forming a clear basis of your expectations, disputes can often be avoided.

When working with multi-academy trusts, Eduprise takes on all of the trust’s internal communication requirements, as well as the external ones. While the external communications drive interest in admissions and job openings, our internal comms make sure that each school and member of staff has a clear understanding of the trust’s direction. This intelligible communication ensures that everyone is on the same page, reducing the likelihood of any conflicts or disputes arising within the trust.