Workplace Conflict Solutions - Nov 13, 2023 Newsletter

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Hello, work warriors! 🤼‍♂️

In this email, we’ll be talking about workplace conflict — including when it becomes unhealthy, and what to do when confronted with a disagreement. (And no, it doesn’t include pushing your work nemesis out the 13th-floor window. Pleeease.)

When does workplace conflict become unhealthy?

Some workplace conflict is healthy. It allows you to hear someone else’s point of view and it provides different perspectives. But when you’re constantly arguing with a coworker and you can rarely see eye to eye, it can become tiresome!

With many of us being conditioned to steer clear of conflict, whatever it takes, constant tension can increase anxiety and become an issue. According to the Better Health Channel, workplace conflict decreases productivity and increases absenteeism.

So, which types of conflict are unhealthy and should be avoided?

• Personality clashes: When you and a coworker are always butting heads and arguing over everything and anything.

• Constant differences over business decisions: When your ideas are always being objected to.

• Difficult bosses: When your manager is condescending or always putting you down at work.

Ever had to cope with workplace conflict? Reply to this email and let us know.

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How to advocate for yourself during conflict 💢

Conflict in the workplace can be hard to navigate.

On the one hand, you want to stand up for yourself and what you believe is right. On the other, you don’t want to come across as stubborn, overly emotional or a bad team player — especially if said conflict involves someone in a higher position than you, such as your manager.

As undesirable as heated conversations may be, however, they will inevitably occur. So, what can you do?

Let’s look at different ways in which you can respectfully assert yourself and navigate conflict.

1. Ask for some time to step aside and cool down if you need to. The more in control you are of your emotions, the more productive the conversation will be. 🧘

2. Remind yourself that bringing something up isn’t wrong, even if it leads to a temporary bumping of heads. Communicating is always going to be more constructive than keeping things inside.

3. Use facts to justify what you believe. It’s easy to jump to conclusions or make unfounded accusations, especially when you’re feeling upset or overwhelmed.

4. Try not to make things personal, even if your temporary “rival” is throwing punches below the belt. Just because they can’t control their frustration doesn’t mean you should give up control to yours. 🥊

5. Stay true to yourself, but don’t expect someone else to see eye to eye. Their opinion doesn’t make yours less valid. Sometimes you can agree to disagree!

More on handling workplace conflict ➜

The Science of Self-Discipline by Peter Hollins

Whether it’s to keep your emotions under control in an argument or to set a goal and commit to crushing it, some willpower is going to be necessary. In this book, psychology researcher Peter Hollins explains how you can ignore impulses and instead stay focused and achieve what you want.

Catch you on the flippity flip :)