While some of us enjoy a lively debate with colleagues and others
prefer to suppress our feelings over disagreements, we all
struggle with conflict at work. Every day we navigate an office
full of competing interests, clashing personalities, limited time
and resources, and fragile egos. Sure, we share the same
overarching goals as our colleagues, but we don't always agree on
how to achieve them. We work differently. We rub each other the
wrong way. We jockey for position.
How can you deal with conflict at work in a way that is both
professional and productive―where it improves both your work and
your relationships? You start by understanding whether you
generally seek or avoid conflict, identifying the most frequent
reasons for disagreement, and knowing what approaches work for
what scenarios. Then, if you decide to address a particular
conflict, you use that information to plan and conduct a
productive conversation. The HBR Guide to Dealing with Conflict
will give you the advice you need to:
* Understand the most common sources of conflict
* Explore your options for addressing a disagreement
* Recognize whether you―and your counterpart―typically seek or
avoid conflict
* Prepare for and engage in a difficult conversation
* Manage your and your counterpart's emotions
* Develop a resolution together
* Know when to walk away
Arm yourself with the advice you need to succeed on the job, with
the most trusted brand in business. Packed with how-to essentials
from leading experts, the HBR Guides provide smart answers to
your most pressing work challenges.
