4 conflict resolution techniques you should know

Conflict resolution techniques try to put an end to problems that may be personal or work-related. These setbacks can arise at any time, so the necessary knowledge is needed to act quickly, preventing them from growing until they have more serious consequences. To do this, you must learn the necessary tools. Go for it!

As we are suggesting, conflict resolution techniques are the perfect tool to solve any type of work or personal problem. As a professional, whatever the field, you must know these techniques in case you ever have to mediate and intervene in a negotiation in a conflict.

Discover these 4 conflict resolution strategies

If you dedicate yourself or work in the field of Human Resources, you should know these 4 conflict resolution strategies. On more than one occasion, you will have to resort to facilitation, mediation, inquiry or arbitration. Don’t you know what any of these conflict management techniques consist of? We explain them to you!

The facilitation

This conflict resolution technique works much better when the problems are low or medium level. Facilitation comes into play in situations that involve several people or where different topics are discussed. As in any mediation, you must have a third person, totally impartial, who designs and directs the meetings that are held to end the problem. The final objective will always be to diagnose, create and implement solutions that satisfy all parties.

Mediation

When the parties involved in the conflict have reached a point of no return, mediation comes into play. This conflict resolution strategy consists of appointing a mediator to help two opposing parties reach an agreement. Thanks to this figure of intermediary, those involved are able to share information, focus on the root of the problems and express their emotions. In short, mediation is much more formal than facilitation.

The investigation

In the inquiry technique, one or more experts appear who are totally unrelated to the conflict. It is used especially in technical environments, where popular conflict review boards or tables are formed that objectively evaluate the problem with the aim of finding a possible solution. The investigation is usually frequent before starting a judicial process or a negotiation.

The arbitration

As its name indicates, the figure of the referee or judge appears here. In this conflict resolution strategy, the solution is left to this arbitrator, who tends to propose less satisfactory actions than those presented in mediation or facilitation. Therefore, it is used in the business world or when there is an urgent need in relation to conflict.

What did you think of these 4 conflict resolution techniques?

Steps for conflict resolution

After knowing the 4 most important conflict resolution techniques, it is time to see how to approach a problem step by step. We want to bring you this guide so that you can quickly identify any situation that demands your attention. The sooner you address a conflict, the more likely it is to be overcome successfully.

• First step, identify the conflict: if you do not know that there is a conflict in your company, it is impossible to solve it. Therefore, the first step is to create the necessary tools so that your workers can communicate any problem, in addition to knowing them well to know their motivations and the complications they may have. Everything, before it happens.
• Second step, analyze what you can do: once the conflict exists, all that remains is to face it in the best possible way. Therefore, you must evaluate all the solutions, taking into account the 4 conflict resolution techniques that we have advanced to you.
• Third step, make a decision: at this point, you have to implement some of the conflict resolution strategies and make a proposal to the parties. The goal will always be for your workers to feel valued, listened to, and to continue maintaining their commitment to the company.
• Fourth step: without analysis, there is no success. If you don’t evaluate conflict resolution techniques, you won’t know if you’re doing it right. Thus, it is very important to analyze each of the processes you carry out to draw the relevant conclusions.

Importance of conflict resolution

Conflict management strategies are relevant within a business organization. Because? Because they are used to facing delicate situations, in which you have to face a problem. The objective is always to overcome this setback as quickly as possible to achieve an ideal work environment, in which the established goals can be achieved.

There are two types of labor disagreements. On the one hand, we have unproductive disagreements, from which no type of productive and beneficial conclusion is drawn for the company. On the other hand, productive disagreements, which do have a productive side, since they help the company continue to grow and achieve all its objectives.

Thus, conflict resolution techniques emerge as an important tool for a company’s Human Resources team. In the end, this department is the one that comes into action when there is some type of conflict: a worker is not happy with his remuneration, he is not happy with his superior or he is not working correctly. In these cases, knowing these strategies well and how to implement them is essential.

Also you can read about the following topics:

• 5 Types of Business Leadership: Which one is yours?
• Discover the 4 most effective negotiation strategies in the business field