What is Conflict Resolution?

Conflict resolution is the process where two or more parties who are engaged in a dispute, reach an agreement and resolve the conflict peacefully. Conflict in the workplace is socially and financially costly to businesses. In New Zealand, employment disputes alone are estimated to $440 million per annum.

In the workplace, conflict usually occurs between co-workers, supervisors, and subordinates or between a business and their clients. Conflict can also occur between groups such as management and the workforce, employers and contractors, or between entire departments. 

The fundamental core of workplace disputes is usually a difference between people and how they prefer to operate. Such as a breakdown in communication or personality clashes. Workplace conflict can quickly derail productivity and team cohesion, so understanding the different behavioural types of your team can help identify signs of trouble early on, helping to overcome conflict. Extended DISC® Conflict Management Assessments are a great way to jump-start conflict resolution. Overcoming disputes using DISC is an effective method to improve and develop interactions between two individuals.

Examples of conflict in the workplace

A difference in how people prefer to operate is the common cause of workplace disputes. Breakdowns in communication or personality clashes are a typical example of conflict. Understanding the different DISC personality types of your team can help you identify signs of trouble early on, helping to overcome friction quickly and effectively.

Workplace conflict examples include:

• Personality clashes
• Communication breakdown and misunderstandings
• Bullying, harassment and intimidation
• Conflict over roles, workloads or pay rates
• Competition within teams
• Noncompliance with rules and policies.

Conflict Resolution Assessment

Conflict management assessments are espically important in New Zealand workplaces to quickly and effectively overcome disputes. Assessment tools such as the Conflict Resolution Assessment enable the parties involved to discuss their individuality and their way of working together, recognising their different strengths, weaknesses and improving their communication with each other.

Individuals involved in a DISC based conflict resolution strategy gain a better understanding of themselves and can modify their behaviour accordingly - commonly called behavioural flexing. Others frequently respond by also changing their approach to suit the conversation with the individual or group. Behavioural modification is a great strategy to manage disputes and enhance performance. 

Incorporate Extended DISC® into conflict management strategies to resolve disputes, promote a shared understanding of co-workers and maintain a peaceful and co-operative workplace.

Conflict resolution assessment tools

The Conflict Resolution Assessment Test is a tool that can combine two of the Individual DISC Assessment results into one report. The pair will explore their natural approach to conflict management and areas that cause destructive and productive conflict. Utilising the learnings from their DISC report, they will understand how to manage their responses to conflict situations, and develop personalised communication strategies to help overcome conflict situations with co-workers.

When comparing the two individual's results, it is possible to identify shared strengths, behavioural differences that are likely to cause friction, and shared development areas where the pair may need outside support.

If the pair is experiencing friction, use the Conflict Resolution Assessment as a development tool to help them develop a shared understanding of one another. The DISC Conflict report is an excellent tool to develop skills to better relate to one another and understand each other's unique style and contribution to the team.

Conflict resolution strategies

The best place to start a conflict resolution strategy is with your employees. The more they know about themselves, the easier it is to identify where and why conflict might occur. Increased self-awareness will enable your employees to communicate easily with others and establish what's troubling them in disagreements.

The Conflict Resolution Assessment Test helps two people further develop and improve their interactions. A fundamental requirement in successful conflict management is an in-depth, thorough understanding of the people involved. The conflict resolution tool combines the individual's Extended DISC results into one report. The report identifies ways to better understand each others' unique DISC style, strengths, and differences. 

The Extended DISC® Conflict Resolution Assessment enables involved parties to discuss their individuality and their way of working together, recognising their different strengths, weaknesses and improving their communication with each other. Individuals involved gain a better understanding of themselves and can modify their behaviour accordingly. Behavioural modification is a great strategy to manage conflict and enhance performance. 

There is no best way to use the report, nor is it a solution for all situations. Instead, it helps to initiate dialogue and gain more insight into who the other person is, to better manage and prevent conflicts.

Managing disputes in the workplace

Learning how to manage conflict efficiently is a necessary skill to prevent poor performance. Small amounts of conflict can cultivate learning and challenge established ways of thinking. However, if left unaddressed, conflict can fester and escalate rapidly.

Extended DISC® Conflict Management Behavioural Assessments enhance the understanding of one another, strengthen relationships and help build trust. The reports safely facilitate discussion and help parties involved to focus on behaviour and events, not on personalities.

Learnings from the reports enable the parties to identify points of disagreement and agreement and recognise areas that cause frequent friction. The Conflict Resolution workbook allows the parties to develop a personalised approach to conflict resolution and follow through on dispute resolution strategies.

People management

Workplace conflict is inevitable in today's diverse workforce. Conflict can quickly derail productivity and team cohesion. Personality clashes, misunderstandings, or performance issues can hold businesses back from success. If leaders leave conflict to fester, the workplace environment can become toxic.

Leaders need to know how to spot healthy tension and when to intervene before it turns into overly disruptive chaos. Extended DISC® reports allow leaders to recognise points of contention and learn which employees are more likely to clash than others.

Incorporate Extended DISC® into conflict management strategies to minimise and resolve disputes to maintain a peaceful and co-operative workplace.

DISC assessments for conflict management

• Help individuals build self-awareness
• Identify the most effective means of communication
• Understand how best to negotiate with individuals by recognising their irritations, fears and decision-making style
• Understand how different people with different behavioural preferences react in varying situations and especially under stress or pressure
• Identify the person's emotions – whether they are under stress, whether they feel insecure, frustrated, lack clarity in their role or even feel helplessness
• Understand the influence of the present environment on a person's motivation as far as particular needs are concerned