Job Success

Confronting conflict

Before you can resolve conflict, you must confront it.

• Listen to your thoughts and feelings. Write down your feelings if necessary.
• Assess the situation. Take some time to think about the situation. If you have let your frustration level increase, you may have a distorted interpretation of the situation.
• Acknowledge what is going on. Remember, your perception of the problem may differ from someone else's perception. If you have negatively contributed to the situation, acknowledge your behavior.
• Set aside time to talk. It's often best to resolve conflict the day it happens. Set aside time to talk in person. Words and feelings are often misinterpreted on the phone and in email.