How to Avoid Conflict with your colleagues?

• BE DIRECT, BUT KIND
Don’t use emotive language or fuzzy adjectives. Say what is bothering you in short and simple, but direct sentences. Speaking in long sentences mean that you don’t have a leg to stand on or hope that the person you are talking to doesn’t discover your hidden agenda.


• DON’T BE BLUNT AND MEAN

Use a kind tone of voice and watch your body language. You want to communicate your problem without being hurtful, insulting or critical.


• LISTEN TO THE PERSON

Give the person you are talking to time to state his/her understanding and feelings about the dispute. Listen what the other person is saying and check that you understand what is being said.
Say something like, ‘Have I understood correctly?’ Talk it out and don’t make the issue public.


• NOW EXPLORE OPTIONS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM TOGETHER

Focus on areas of agreement. Make sure that you and your colleague approve of the final solution