Preventive Conflict Management for Leaders
My last post focused on specific strategies to resolve workplace conflict. But, let’s be honest. Most of us don’t relish the idea of managing conflict, whether that occurs at work or in our personal lives. We already have enough stress, don’t we?
That’s why I want to follow up with some quick tips for being proactive about preventing conflict among your team members. If you can avoid conflicts before they even start, you’ll be saving yourself and your employees from a lot of anxiety and potential disruptions.
Here are a few steps you might consider:
1. Set the Stage
From the beginning, let your team know that you value diversity of thought. However, clarify that while personal and political topics can naturally come up in private conversations, they should be kept out of team meetings and shouldn’t interfere with achieving team objectives or serving clients. That said, disagreements over work-related topics are bound to arise in meetings and discussions. For those cases, you can clearly communicate your expectations about presenting opinions that may not be shared by everyone in the room. Explain that you encourage thoughtful and respectful dialogue, which involves being acutely aware of how you express your thoughts, keeping the focus on shared goals, remaining calm, and handling constructive feedback with grace.
Then model the kind of behavior you want your team to adopt. For instance, if someone voices a viewpoint that’s different from yours, try saying something like, “I see it differently; can I tell you why?” This helps to disarm the other person and makes them feel heard without jumping into a defensive mode. Or, when things get a bit tense, you might say, “I see where you’re coming from. Can we dig a bit deeper to find common ground?” This phrase acknowledges others’ perspectives while opening up the space for collaboration rather than competition.
By establishing a foundation of clear, consistent expectations and leading by example, you’re laying the groundwork for a team that knows how to handle difficult conversations in a healthy, productive way.
2. Be Highly Observant
Pay close attention to the undercurrents of interactions among your team members. Have you noticed any behavioral tendencies in certain employees that tend to trigger negative attitudes or provoke defensive postures? For example, some team members may not realize when they cross a line or inadvertently cause tension.
When you recognize the potential for conflict brewing, you have an opportunity for some targeted coaching. You might talk with employees about increasing their self-awareness and looking for the unintended impact they might be having on others. Some minor behavioral adjustments could be just enough to neutralize the tone. These discussions can lead to positive growth and development instead of allowing underlying issues to bubble up into confrontational interactions.
3. Build Trust
One of the most important ways to prevent conflict among your team members is to build trust. This applies to your relationship with each person, as well as the relationships within the group. When trust is strong, minor disagreements are less likely to escalate into major conflicts.
Admittedly, developing trust among your team doesn’t happen overnight. It takes some time. But as you build your relationships with each person, be deliberate about demonstrating fairness and integrity. Listen closely when they speak. Show an interest in their long-term goals and support their growth. Most importantly, make sure you follow through on any commitments you make. Knowing they can count on you is the primary foundation for trust.
By focusing on these preventative strategies, you can create a work environment where conflicts are less likely to arise—and when they do, they’re more easily managed.
Do you have a proven solution for minimizing conflict among your team members? I’d love to hear about it!
Until next time,
