Managing Conflicts in Diverse Teams

Finding an appropriate approach to deal with conflict can bring out positive changes in our lives as we have the potential to change the narrative to push us forward and build something greater. Discovering a way to handle workplace conflict while building a creative team from a diverse set of individuals might be difficult at times, but with the appropriate strategies, it can become much simpler to create a more productive workplace.

Ensightful has compiled a list of tips that may be adopted in any company’s everyday work culture to improve conflict resolution amongst diverse teams.

Open Communication + Transparency

Improving your workplace culture begins with open communication among your employees, which leads to improved team cooperation and trust. To ensure that every employee feels heard and valued, demonstrate to them that you are an honest leader who can speak truthfully with them and set an example for them to practice around the workplace.

When you take the time to provide your employees with the right level of transparency, they will begin to feel invested and a part of the firm. Overall, it improves business morale, reduces conflicts, and promotes a more innovative work culture.

A discussion method of communication with your staff early on is one example of how you can develop more transparent and communicative work culture.

Practice Active Listening

It may be easiest to start with something as simple as learning how to actively listen to others.

Conflicts are widespread in the workplace when there is a lack of attentiveness when employees are speaking. In group settings, individuals frequently become sidetracked by their thoughts and lose concentration on what is being spoken. Hearing our coworkers is one thing, but genuinely listening to what they’re saying is critical in maintaining a conflict-free workplace.

At the end of the day, employees just want to be heard. Providing them with a space that allows individuals to voice their opinions can reduce conflict between colleagues and work on improving overall communication.

Defining Roles

This key strategy works best with the first point of open communication. It’s critical to create a structure by defining roles and explicitly communicating expectations to employees so that everyone understands what they are responsible for and who they should report to in the chain of command.

Oftentimes, conflicts arise as a result of employees not knowing exactly what is expected of them. Begin by establishing expectations on the first day of work. Anything that you or your teammates may require from each other, especially in a diverse team, should be explicitly articulated and specified.

Celebrate Differences

One important thing to remember about working with a diverse team is celebrating what makes your team members unique. Diversity in the workplace promotes collaboration and the generation of new ideas and provides a greater chance of resolving issues.

Employees may quickly channel competitiveness into mutual gain when they understand how unique they are and how each member contributes to the group’s success. Individual accomplishment feeds into group achievement, however, it can rapidly lead to a dispute if not handled carefully.

Determine the Source of the Conflict

When a dispute arises, try to be cautiously aware of it, whether it is a task-related issue, opposing ideas, a violation of personal space or a collision of personalities between two coworkers. Tackling a conflict at the roots compared to when it has blown out of proportion is an effective way to directly and calmly resolve the issue.

Identifying where possible conflict may arise can give you an idea of how to address it without jeopardizing your team’s efficiency and morale.