

Honesty and clear communication play an important role in the resolution process.

Acknowledge that a difficult situation exists.Here are some tips you can use when faced with employees who can't resolve their own conflicts. Whether you have two employees who are fighting for the desk next to the window or one employee who wants the heat on and another who doesn't, your immediate response to conflict situations is essential. To learn more about communication skills, see Chapter 13: Communication. Make sure you really understand what employees are saying by asking questions and focusing on their perception of the problem. Listening to employee concerns will foster an open environment. That includes creating an open communication environment in your unit by encouraging employees to talk about work issues. To manage conflict effectively you must be a skilled communicator.
