3 Approaches for Dealing with Continuous Conflict at Work

Conflict at work can be painfully stressful to deal with.

No one enjoys the feeling of walking into the office only to be met by tension from a co-worker.

Occasional conflict in the workplace is almost inevitable. Put any group of people together for 40+ hours per week and it’s bound to occur. People disagree and get on each other’s nerves. But most of the time, occasional conflict is manageable.

However, when conflict is constantly present, it’s worth your time to step back and re-evaluate your options. Whether you’re experiencing continuous conflict with a single person or a group of people, you really only have 3 possible options. Review them below and see which makes the most sense for you.

Adapt to It

Your first option is to simply adapt to the situation and the people and stop allowing yourself to get involved. This means you accept whatever is happening and you don’t engage—mentally, physically or emotionally.

In some cases, this is a wise decision. All people have quirks and we often simply have to learn to adapt to them. Some things can’t be changed.

Adapting means you’re willing to sacrifice your own preferences for the good of the relationship and the work. When you adapt, you have to be well and truly ready to let it go. You can’t hold on to a grudge and allow yourself to stew in resentment. That will only create conflict further down the road.

Address it

If you’re unwilling or unable to adapt to something or someone, you need to address the pattern that’s happening and discuss solutions to resolve it once and for all. Communication, in and of itself, can often fix the problem. When you allow all sides to be heard, differences tend to diminish.

Of course, that’s not always true. But the right kind of communication can at least make differences more manageable. Share your side of the situation and ask to hear theirs. Try to find common ground on which to build. Ultimately, both parties are going to need to come to some kind of agreement for how to move forward. Usually, this requires compromise on both sides.

Avoid It

Finally, your last option is to simply avoid the situation altogether and leave. You have every right, at any time, to resign your position and get another job. No one is holding you hostage.

If you’ve tried to adapt to it and you’ve tried to address it, and continuous conflict is persistently still happening, this may not be the right employment match for you. That’s perfectly okay!

Remember, however, that bad professional relationships can haunt you throughout your career. Don’t leave on a bad note. Remain professional and polite and don’t point fingers.

Also read: 4 Mindsets of Naturally Resilient People

You deserve a comfortable work environment where you aren’t subject to the undue stress and emotional anguish caused by continuous conflict. The people with whom you work can make all the difference. If, on the other hand, you find that conflict tends to follow you wherever you go, it’s time to look in the mirror and focus on the common denominator.