How to Resolve Workplace Personality Conflict Resolution Strategies

Interpersonal relationships between co-workers are one of the most
important factors in any work environment--and personality conflicts
are a leading cause of problems in the workplace. If two co-workers
continually butt heads on work-related issues, it affects everyone
around them and impacts the workplace in a negative way. If you're the
manager in your workplace, it's even more important that you get a
handle on the situation right away - to learn how you can improve your
managerial skills and reduce workplace tension, I recommend the
excellent guide The Secrets of Basic Mangement Skills.

Here are some tips on how to resolve personality conflicts in the workplace.

Keep your calm and remain professional. If you do not get along with a
co-worker, it is inevitable that a dispute will come up. If you are
confronted by a co-worker whom you do not get along with, try to
remain calm. Don't point fingers or place blame, just let him say his
piece. By remaining rational, you may be able to turn the tables on
the situation. Ask questions to get to the root of the problem and vow
to work together to make things right.

Learn to work as a team. Many companies offer team-building workshops
for their employees to avoid workplace conflict -- effective teamwork
is an important part of any business! If your worst enemy is working
on a team project with you, use it as an opportunity to come together
to get the job done. By sharing a positive experience with this
person, you may be able to put some of those bad feelings behind you.
Be open to the fact that there are many personality types out there
and you will never get along with everybody, but you can learn to work
together for the good of the company (and for the good of your
career).

Go through the proper chain of command. Conflict resolution strategies
do not involve immediately running to the boss. If your co-worker
screws up, don't go running to your boss with the news; but rather
discuss the situation with your co-worker first. It's also best not to
bring up a faux pas during a group meeting--talk to the responsible
party confidentially in lieu of going to upper management behind his
back. By working through the proper chain of command you will avoid
rubbing your co-workers the wrong way.

Watch your tone in e-mails and written communications. Written
communications can often be taken the wrong way so it is wise to hone
your conflict resolution skills in the event you may need them. Make
certain that the tone in your e-mails and memos comes across
clearly--avoid sarcasm, which often doesn't come through well in
e-mails. Also, avoid writing in all capital letters or with excessive
exclamation points--this is what is known as screaming in an e-mail.
Try to avoid petty e-mail exchanges with co-workers that you do not
get along with--instead, try to talk face to face so you can both get
a word in and hopefully resolve your issues.

Contact your human resource department when necessary. Resolving
conflict may at some point call for involving a third party. In
extreme situations, a mediator may be needed to help diffuse heated
work relations. Experienced human resource advisors are trained to
help resolve personality conflicts, so let them do their job.
Sometimes all it takes is an impartial third party to get to the root
of the problem.

Finally, don't let bad work relationships impact your career. Strive
to work well with all personality types. This doesn't mean you have to
go out to lunch with a co-worker whom you dislike, but you do have to
work with that person, so make the best of it so you can all get your
jobs done in a professional manner. The best solution for conflict
resolution is to avoid it to begin with.

By Victoria Miller