Managing Office Conflicts

Today’s world is highly competitive and the corporate world can be called as the APEX of the existing competition. Perhaps no other sphere is as tough as compared to the corporate world.

What makes the competition at the corporate world even tougher is the fact that, unlike our school, family or friends or any other personal relationships corporate office is the place where we spend a major chunk of our lives. And so when considering we have conflicts with our classmates, family members or even our friends, where there is no mutual competition, conflicts are inevitable in the corporate world where our careers are at stake.

Everyone in the corporate world needs to be on their toes, else it is game over. In a relationship you can mend your ways, after all they are your family and friends, but in the corporate world one small conflict could cost us our entire career. So never be in the pre assumption that you are in the good books of every one at the office though you are an asset to your company, a good team leader and are always there when it comes to any problems at the office. In fact your success could easily have been the success of your nearest co -worker. So being competitive is good, but a little bit of consideration could go a long way in managing any conflicts because of your success. Never show off your talents and rub someone up the wrong way. In fact such instigation could bring out the best in your competitor.

In a corporate world you are dealing with the most diverse people possible, especially in a MNC where each branch has its own demographic culture. So understand their background including their culture, language, ideals and then deal accordingly. Remember ‘One man's meat is another man's poison’. Something that one person likes may be distasteful to someone else.

Meanwhile some people are always too tough to get along with. They are always on the boil; they think they are always right. The best thing would be to simply avoid them but what if they are in a superior position and directly supervise your department.
In such cases do not get passive and take whatever is thrown at you. You are appointed for the job because of your talent but giving back would also put you in trouble. This is where the middle path comes in – be assertive.

You can go to that person during a suitable time like a water coolant moment, strike a casual conversation and then see how it goes along. If it is going as you intended then slowly say you would like resolve the conflict that happened between the two of you. Never email or write anything regarding conflicts. If the person has really taken it to heart then he could use it against you.

The best way to cure a disease is to identify the cause, similarly the main reason conflicts arise is because of our pre-conceived notions that an office should be like this, a colleague should be like this or the boss should be like this. In fact we all have an image of our own self. So the moment when something happens that goes against our notions, a conflict arises.

The best thing to do is have no pre assumptions about our self. Do not have any expectations from others to react in a certain way. Accept things as they are and then try to manage them with a ‘Neutral Attitude’ and finally the usual advice - just let go that ego.