Resolving interoffice conflict Published June 29, 2010 By Staff Sgt. Rooshell McCullough 21st Space Wing equal opportunity advisor PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- I'm sure we've all experienced conflict within the workplace at one time or another. If not, we have at least known someone who has and then told us about it. Let's face it, I think it's safe to say that as long as we work in an environment with people different from ourselves there's really no easy "escape route" when it comes to conflict. Contrary to popular belief, not all conflicts produce adverse impacts. In fact, if conflict is resolved effectively it could potentially have positive results. I can almost hear you saying, "Yeah right, how?" Let's briefly consider how effectively approaching and resolving interoffice conflict could have positive outcomes. We have all heard that communication is the key to maintaining successful relationships and there is no exception regarding the workplace. Nevertheless, most conflicts seem to develop as a result of a difference of opinion. Usually when contrariety has been established, the lines of communication are rarely opened to understanding either party's position. When conflict occurs, attempt to systematically digest the situation by asking yourself significant questions. Questions like: How important is this relationship; How important is the incident; What is the likely outcome; What would I like to happen as a result of this conflict; and How will I feel if this conflict is not addressed? This allows you to establish what's most important. You may also establish exactly what it might take to restore your peace of mind. Once you have answered these questions, it's ideal to suggest an opportunity for discussion with the person or persons involved. Voicing your concerns and listening to others with an open mind grants opportunity for building better working relationships. Simply getting to know more about an individual's past experiences might help you to understand their position and possibly help them understand yours. Closer relationships can be formed along with a decreased chance of conflict in the future. Remember, now you may be able to empathize with their rationale. What about those instances when the actual conflict is really not the problem? We all know it's not always easy to discuss things that affect you personally and especially with those you work with daily. However, there just might be an underlying issue which is the real cause of the conflict. In such cases, conflict may serve as an opportunity to get to the root of the issue. Providing opportunities to address the situation might expose the real issue at hand and provide a forum to successfully get to the bottom of it. Another positive result of conflict could simply be a "good old-fashioned" learning experience. Suppose you were made aware of a perspective you had never been exposed to. Maybe it can now serve as a tool which can positively impact your future decision-making regarding this individual. Inevitably, conflict is here to stay, but we must continually work to resolve such issues as they arise within our workplaces. Understanding more constructive ways to approach conflict may increase the likelihood of positive outcomes.