Tips on Diffusing Workplace Conflict at a Team Meeting

Conflict in the workplace happens every once in a while, and, if not addressed quickly and effectively, it can undermine your team’s productivity and create a toxic atmosphere. Let 4Corners Business Centers worry about the office space rental while you focus on keeping your team together. Here are some tips on how to defuse workplace conflict at your next team meeting.

TIP: Do not let the conflict go on for long.

Once you are made aware of any conflict within your team, you should address it as soon as possible. Letting conflicts fester will only exacerbate the issue. Speak to the relevant team members directly and strive to maintain a calm and open environment.

TIP: Hear each team member’s side.

Depending on how severe the problem is, you may need to talk to each involved member one by one before you talk to them as a group and work out a solution. We can provide the right conference room rental options if you need to do so, whether in a small and private meeting room or through a remote video conference.

TIP: Pace the meeting, take a break and reconvene.

Once you have your team on the same page, take a break to clear the atmosphere and then reconvene. Taking a short break is essential especially if there was tension in the meeting. You should then resume and start identifying the root cause of the conflict. Once you’ve done that, you can start developing a list of solutions.

TIP: Get input from everyone.

Bring the entire team in, even those who weren’t directly involved in the conflict, when trying to come up with a solution. In addition to fostering a sense of teamwork and involvement, this also creates an opportunity to gain insight from team members who are outside looking in.

TIP: Provide appropriate feedback and encourage open communication.

At the end of the day, you want your team functioning as smoothly as possible. Encourage proper communication and provide appropriate feedback on your team’s progress. A team member feels valued when they feel that you are willing to work with them to find solutions to their problems.

Whether you need a physical or a virtual meeting room, 4Corners Business Centers can fulfill your meeting room rental needs. Call us today at (718) 280-5170 or fill out our contact form to learn more about us and our virtual office services. We are conveniently located in Scarsdale, NY.