Addressing Conflict

Conflict can be difficult to address if you are unsure how to communicate to the parties involved or if you are unsure why conflict occurred. We are bound to be on both ends of the spectrum of conflict—sometimes we may have caused it or been affected by it.

Either way, it’s important to be open to dialogue when the moment feels right.

What to do when conflict arises?

Conflict should be resolved and managed as soon as possible. Unresolved conflict can affect productivity, affect workplace culture, cause discouragement, and cause stress and disruptions.

Having a good understanding of the type of conflict at hand and strong communication skills can you effectively manage and tackle conflict.

Power Dynamics

A certain type of conflict can occur due to power dynamics.

Power can show up in the differences in how groups or people interact with one another in the workplace. Power dynamics are inherent to workplaces due to the different roles that individuals hold. 

Discussion Question

In order to better navigate workplace situations with power dynamics involved, let's first think about the dynamics we're already aware of. Please share your response to the poll question below:

"What are some examples of power dynamics in a work setting?"

You'll also be able to review your classmates' responses before moving on to the next page!