Workplace Conflict Mediation

• Understanding the Conflict: The first step in resolving a workplace conflict is to fully understand the positions of the parties involved, as well as their respective interests. It is essential to clarify the root causes of the disagreement and identify the needs and concerns of each party.
• Employing Conflict Resolution Strategies: Various strategies can be applied to address conflicts such as accommodating, compromising, competing, and collaborating. The choice of strategy depends on the specific situation and the desired outcome.
• Practicing Self-Control: Maintaining composure and managing emotions effectively is critical for constructive conflict resolution, as emotions often play a central role in disagreements. Keeping emotions in check can help create a more conducive environment for resolving conflicts.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Identifying the source of the problem and finding an effective solution is crucial in conflict resolution. Mediators can use problem-solving skills to determine areas of compromise between disagreeing team members, helping them to reach a mutually satisfactory resolution.
• Taking Responsibility: All parties involved in the conflict should be willing to take responsibility for their actions and be willing to accept the consequences. This openness can foster a sense of accountability and encourage parties to work together to find a resolution.
• Negotiation: Negotiating is a key aspect of conflict resolution as it enables parties to find a peaceful solution to their disagreement. Through open communication and compromise, the conflicting parties can work together to resolve their differences.

By incorporating these and other important elements into their conflict resolution approach, organizations can address workplace conflicts and maintain a positive, productive work environment.

While many organizations have in-house personnel that may be trained in conflict resolution, there are several reasons to consider bringing in an outside mediator:

• Unbiased Perspective: An outside mediator serves as a neutral third party in discussions between conflicting parties. Their unbiased perspective allows them to assess the situation fairly and facilitate what will usually be perceived as a more impartial resolution process.
• Facilitating Civil Discussions: The mediator ensures that the meetings remain respectful and productive, preventing the escalation of tensions and guiding the conversation toward a constructive outcome.
• Expertise in Conflict Resolution: Professional mediators possess a specific skill set that enables them to handle complex disputes and find fair solutions. Their experience and training in conflict resolution can contribute to a more effective resolution process.
• Improved Communication: An outside mediator can help conflicting parties improve their communication by encouraging open dialogue, active listening, and mutual understanding. This can lead to a deeper exploration of the issues and ultimately, a more satisfactory resolution.
• Confidentiality: Neutral, third-party mediators are committed to maintaining confidentiality throughout the resolution process, which can help build trust between the conflicting parties and promote an atmosphere of openness and honesty.
• Focus on Underlying Interests: A skilled mediator can identify and address the underlying interests of the conflicting parties, going beyond surface-level issues to uncover the true source of the conflict. This can lead to more comprehensive and lasting solutions.
• Voluntary and Non-Binding Process: Mediation is a voluntary process, and any agreements reached are generally non-binding, allowing the parties to maintain control over the outcome. This flexibility can encourage parties to participate more openly and work together to find a mutually acceptable resolution.

By employing an outside mediator, organizations can benefit from a neutral, expert perspective. This type of perspective may not be possible to obtain for someone who is inside the organization, because they may be too close to the situation. Someone from the outside may be better able to see the bigger picture and facilitate fair and lasting resolutions to workplace conflicts.

Outsourcing workplace conflict mediation can provide several benefits for mid to large-sized organizations, helping them manage conflicts more effectively and efficiently. Here are some reasons why this approach can be advantageous:

• Enhanced Efficiency: Outsourcing mediation services allows large organizations to focus on their primary responsibilities and improve overall efficiency. By putting conflict resolution in the hands of external experts, companies can save time and resources that can be better utilized in their core operations.
• Access to Diverse Skill Sets: External mediators bring a variety of skill sets and experience in conflict resolution to the table. They can effectively handle different types of conflicts, ranging from task and process conflicts to personal and cultural differences.
• Flexibility and Adaptability: bringing in an outside mediator allows organizations to respond quickly to changing workplace dynamics and market conditions. External mediators can be called upon as needed, providing a flexible solution to conflict management.
• Objective Perspective: As we have talked about, external mediators are impartial third parties who can offer an unbiased view of the conflict and facilitate a fair and balanced resolution process. This objectivity can help to prevent further escalation of tensions and promote more satisfactory outcomes for all parties involved.
• Scalability: Large organizations often have numerous employees with diverse backgrounds, personalities, and work styles, making conflicts more likely. Outsourcing mediation services can be scaled according to the organization’s size and needs, ensuring that conflicts are addressed effectively and promptly.

Resolving conflicts within the workplace is critical for all organizations in order to maintain productivity and foster a more diverse and inclusive work environment. Carmela DeNicola of Advanced Mediation Solutions (AMS) can help make this a reality within your organization.

Carmela is a member of the New Jersey Association of Professional Mediators (NJAPM) and has completed advanced training in mediation and conflict resolution. This specialized training has equipped her with the skills necessary to handle complex and high-stakes disputes, making her an ideal choice for any organization that is seeking a conflict resolution specialist.

Contact us today at (856) 669-7172 or send us an online message to learn more about our services and how we can help your organization thrive through effective conflict resolution. We are ready to go to work for you!