Learn to assess the situation, manage your emotions, and move on.
While some of us enjoy a lively debate with colleagues and others prefer
to suppress our feelings over disagreements, we all struggle with
conflict at work. Every day we navigate an office full of competing
interests, clashing personalities, limited time and resources, and
fragile egos. Sure, we share the same overarching goals as our
colleagues, but we don't always agree on how to achieve them. We work
differently. We rub each other the wrong way. We jockey for position.
How can you deal with conflict at work in a way that is both
professional and productive--where it improves both your work and your
relationships? You start by understanding whether you generally seek or
avoid conflict, identifying the most frequent reasons for disagreement,
and knowing what approaches work for what scenarios. Then, if you decide
to address a particular conflict, you use that information to plan and
conduct a productive conversation. The HBR Guide to Dealing with
Conflict will give you the advice you need to:
- Understand the most common sources of conflict
- Explore your options for addressing a disagreement
- Recognize whether you--and your counterpart--typically seek or avoid
conflict
- Prepare for and engage in a difficult conversation
- Manage your and your counterpart's emotions
- Develop a resolution together
- Know when to walk away
Arm yourself with the advice you need to succeed on the job, with the
most trusted brand in business. Packed with how-to essentials from
leading experts, the HBR Guides provide smart answers to your most
pressing work challenges.
