Philosophers, political scientists, diplomats, and other professionals throughout the ages have been in the pursuit of an answer that would cure all problems for the rest of time. The end to all conflict whether it be on a scale as large as the diplomatic arena or as minute as the quarrels that we have with those closest to us. Business owners too, have looked for the resolution to the everyday conflicts that occur when people work together in close quarters for an extended period of time. As it turns out, there is no one answer to solving conflict, there are however, various steps that individuals can take in an effort to reach a resolution.

Conflict management is defined as a process by which disputes are resolved, where negative results are minimised, and positive results are prioritised. According to the model developed by researcher Thomas Kilmann, individuals usually utilise one of five different approaches to resolving conflict. These include avoiding, accommodating, compromising, competing, and collaborating. Each approach involves a different type of compromise for either one or both parties involved, but each can be used effectively depending on the conflict situation. If you have an issue with a colleague or superior, it might not be the best idea to simply go in guns blazing. If the conflict is minor, accommodating the other party involved might be in your best interest. In saying this, if the situation is more sensitive, choosing a conflict management approach that is more assertive such as compromising or collaborating might be the better option. The desired result for all parties involved is not only to resolve the conflict, but to ensure that future issues can diffused more effectively and efficiently. This is where conflict resolution tools come into play.

Often in high stress environments where numerous emotions are involved, adhering to the following list of tools can be difficult, but not impossible. Listening effectively, identifying the specific points of disagreement, expressing your own needs clearly, viewing the conflict as an opportunity for growth and focusing on specific issues without generalising or escalating the situation are all tested and recommended tips used to resolve conflict. Although the thought of training your employees to improve these seemingly basic skills might seem unnecessary, their development should not be taken lightly. Conflict will undoubtedly result in the festering of negativity, stress, demotivation and unrest amongst your employees.

Therefore, being able to quickly resolve conflict or issues will assist in creating a calmer and thus more productive work environment. Investing in this simple set of tools for your employees also results in you investing in the future prosperity and longevity of your company. It is often the little things that we overlook that tend to have the greatest effect.