Conflict is Not All Negative: The Positive Outcomes That Come from Conflict

Written by: Stephanie Burford, PHR, M.S., HR Manager at Advisor HR

Managing conflict in the workplace is often one of the biggest challenges leaders face. Let’s be honest – it’s uncomfortable and the first instinct is to ignore it with hopes it will go away or resolve on its own. Unfortunately, ignoring the problem often just makes things worse and can often lead to lower productivity, absenteeism, morale, and higher turnover. Conflict happens for many different reasons but often surfaces from misunderstandings, different perspectives, or different values and priorities. Conflict is inevitable – in both our personal and professional lives, but it’s not about trying to prevent conflict it’s about knowing how to resolve and manage it effectively.

What if we reframed our thinking and looked at conflict as a positive? An opportunity to learn and grow. While dealing with conflict head on may sound uncomfortable, conflict is not inherently bad. In fact, when approaching conflict with an open mind and thinking about it as an opportunity to learn and grow, it can lead to innovation, growth, and stronger relationships.

Below are some reasons on how approaching conflict with an open mind and managing it in a healthy, effective way can turn into an opportunity for success.

1.     Sparks Innovation – Disagreements can often bring different ideas and perspectives to the table. When employees challenge processes or procedures, it has the potential to uncover creative solutions that may have been overlooked. An environment that encourages a healthy debate can create a space where employees can critically think and explore alternate solutions.

2.     Encourages Growth – Everyone comes from different backgrounds. What one person may view as appropriate, another may find offensive. While these moments feel challenging, view it as an opportunity for employees to learn about themselves and others. What triggers their frustration? How can communication improve to help both parties? This helps employees develop empathy towards one another and open their mind to different perspectives they never thought of before.  

3.     Improves Relationships – While it may sound counterintuitive, employees who work through challenging situations or disagreements can often build trust. The more employees approach a situation by seeking to understand versus my way or the highway, they may open their mind to a whole new perspective they didn’t have before. This doesn’t mean that the outcome will result in an agreement, but it does allow them to create a space of understanding. This deepens the trust between co-workers and overall improves relationships.

Conflict doesn’t have to be feared or avoided. In fact, it needs the complete opposite and should be addressed effectively and immediately. This can be done by encouraging open dialogue, focusing on finding solutions versus establishing blame, embracing diversity, and maintaining respect. By accepting the inevitable and viewing conflict as an opportunity for innovation, growth, and improving relationships, it will create a space for employees to work in a healthy environment where they feel safe and heard. With the right mindset, embracing conflict and knowing how to manage it in a healthy way can create a more resilient, dynamic work environment.   

Does your organization struggle when dealing with conflict? Do they tend to lean towards ignoring it and hoping it goes away? Advisor HR is here to talk through situations and provide guidance on the best way to move forward. Reach out today!