Professionals Managing Conflict

If you are reading this, you are likely to be an HR professional, manager or advisor who is responsible for dealing with conflict that has arisen.

Conflict management is not just a process to follow. It is essential that each person is provided with a safe, confidential space with which to explore issues and tell you what their problems are.

Why is conflict management important to get right?

It is important to remain neutral throughout the entire process and not impart your own views or suggestions for moving forward. Mediators are skilled in facilitating discussion and asking the right questions to allow each person to talk, as well as build trust and confidence in the mediation process. If you are overseeing the exploration of any issues and helping people to find solutions, here are our top tips:

Foster neutrality and fairness

Agree a safe neutral space for the initial conversation
Remain neutral throughout
Leave judgement and personal views out of the process
Listen to all parties

Allow ample time

Make sure there is sufficient time allowed - it takes longer than you think
Take things slowly - allow emotions to come out naturally

Put people before process

Listen, ask and encourage discussion
Remember this matter can be a big deal for those involved

Always maintain confidentiality

Confidentiality is paramount to building trust and encouraging engagement with the process

What is my role as a professional advising or managing conflict?

As a professional managing conflict, it is important to promote open discussion and support those involved with their needs. These may be very different to what you may envisage as their best interests or a good outcome.

As an adviser your primary duty is to listen and ensure there is enough information available for them to make an informed decision as to their next steps. Conflict can be resolved with the right support and willingness to move forward. However, parties should never feel under pressure to agree to terms which are not acceptable to them.

As a professional, it is vital that you remain open to options and help those involved navigate through the process. The obvious solutions may not be the right one in the circumstances and often with mediation, parties agree outcomes which are outside the bounds of the court or other formal processes. The flexibility and party-empowerment which is afforded to parties through mediation and conflict resolution provide an organic foundation for pragmatic decision making, which should be encouraged.

What is the best advice to provide someone when they are going through conflict?

Whilst we aspire to have all the answers as professionals, there is no single piece of advice you can provide to someone going through conflict. We suggest that you follow the four main principles mentioned above, namely to:

Foster neutrality and fairness
Allow ample time
Put people before process
Always maintain confidentiality

What are the benefits of using mediation?

Empowerment

Mediation is a powerful tool in which the people involved are empowered to decide outcomes which work for them. They are afforded more flexibility and freedom to agree realistic ways forward than with other methods of dispute resolution.

Confidentiality

Mediation is also a confidential process whereby parties can explore issues and consider solutions away from the public domain. It is ideal for those who are looking to maintain their reputation and not be under the scrutiny of third parties.

Forward Looking

One of the core traits of mediation is the concept of looking forward rather than reviewing evidence. Parties are encouraged to think about how they want to resolve issues as opposed to arguing about the strength of evidence. This is the perfect platform where there is a continuing relationship envisaged.

Cost Effective and Time Efficient

Mediation is more cost effective and time efficient than other methods of dispute resolution. This form of resolution can be flexible to the needs of those involved and for most matters that settle, they do so within a day. Mediation is comparatively less expensive than engaging with litigation, but the overall cost will depend on the use of other professionals and services as part of the process.

When should a neutral professional (mediator) be contacted?

If the conflict you are dealing with has been ongoing for a while, the individuals are not fully engaging or there appears to be no progress, we suggest contacting us for advice and guidance as to next steps.