12/04/2023

Workforce Conflict Happens

Here’s how to get better at dealing with it

Whether it's a colleague who continuously oversteps their bounds or a boss who disagrees on how tasks should be performed, even a company with a great culture will experience internal conflicts from time to time. According to 2023 research from the management software platform ZipDo, 85 percent of employees experience conflict in the workplace, resulting in an annual cost to businesses of $359 billion.

While unresolved disputes and discord can significantly impact an organization’s financial success and stability, conflict is important, said Lisa Danels, author of The Human Edge Advantage: Mastering the Art of Being All In. "Conflict is the friction needed in relationships and organizations to move things forward," she said. "Without conflict, we can quickly stagnate and get stuck in our worldviews or approaches."

The key is to not let it go unchecked, said Jennifer Barnes, CEO of Optima Office, an accounting and HR services outsourcing firm. "Things tend to build up, and somebody might just blow up over time," she said. "The more that you address an issue in real time, the faster you can come to a resolution."

Please select this link to read the complete article from Fast Company.