Conflict does happen and can actually be a productive solution to some problems. It is most likely that during some point of your time in workplace you will witness, or be involved in, a conflict. Therefore, it can be good to realize the reasons for conflict in order to bring on a desirable solution – instead of allowing it to make you a victim.
One of the common reasons for conflicts are when values or personalities clash, as it true for outside the office as well. Having differing personalities and values can cause people to vocalize their disapproval or show their dislike, which opens doors for hostile behavior. Not only does this hinder performances but it is also a waste of time and productivity.
Another reason for conflicts can be the relationship between an employer and their employee. It is common for employees to have some dislike towards their bosses, whether it stems from jealousy, attitude or other reasons.
Miscommunication or inability to communicate is another reason for conflict at work. Everyone has their own way of communicating, some of it is well received and others aren’t. Inability to communicate can dampen productivity and make people in the workplace feel awkward or uncomfortable. It is important to remember that everyone has their unique way of dealing with things and this is not a reflection on us as a person.
Not clearly understanding the policies or roles within a workplace can cause people to butt heads. For example, if two employees are both performing the same role and they feel like the other is stealing their responsibilities, even if neither is sure whom it was truly assigned to. This can cause people to interfere with the others work or find ways to stop them from performing the task.
Everyone has their own limit of stress and pressure. Some people get very overwhelmed at an urgent deadline while others can handle it with ease. Conflicts can start when two people see the pressure in a different way and do not assess the other parties feelings or views before having an argument. This can often happen if the person already has a lot on their place or are not sure how they should prioritize the tasks.