Conflict is a constant problem you will deal with as a manager. It can be a technical conflict or one between employees. However, resolving these conflicts is still a part of your job. A professional can never be a good manager unless they know how to resolve conflict efficiently. 

One of the main reasons for this is conflicts hindering workplace efficiency, culture, and productivity. It’s your job to ensure you fully understand all conflicts and find viable solutions to them in a timely manner. Even a small disagreement can fire up huge resentment in employees’ hearts. 

Therefore, if you wish your workforce to maintain positive interaction with you, providing them a chance to present their side of the story matters the most. The question is, what makes conflicts worse?

Conflict is most prevalent when there is miscommunication or misunderstanding. It’s because there’s a lot of room to fill with negative thoughts and assumptions. Therefore, managers must clarify and define everything as clearly as possible. It’s their job to ensure all members involved in a decision fully understand the situation. 

Why Clarity Matters In A Workplace?

Clear and concise communication within a workplace is a staple for professionals who want a positive and productive environment. The primary reason why most companies fail to connect with employees is because of clarity. 

For instance, a company introducing new policies in the workplace without employee consultation may lead to several issues. The employees may think negatively of a new policy change. Or, it can be a certain task that a superior might assign to them without clearly providing instructions. 

It’s nice to leave the employees to make a few decisions, but only if you’ve provided them with input beforehand. Without clear input, the employees may perform a task to their level best—but it’s not always the right one. Therefore, clarity regarding tasks, communication, and basic understanding is a staple for long-term corporate success. 

When does Clarity become an Issue?

There’s a variety of situations where misunderstanding and lack of clarity arise. These scenarios vary for each situation, but some common instances remain the same. For instance, it may be the case when you do not say what you want to say very well. It can also be the case for employees who don’t fully understand what others are trying to say. 

After all, communication is a two-way process. You cannot expect the employees to follow everything you say without providing clarity and vice versa. These situations are certainly reversible, and both parties must adopt a sense of understanding and conflict resolution in the best way possible. 

Conflict resolution has various steps and approaches, but it mainly begins with clarifying objectives. The managers should also discuss the intentions and expectations of their employees to get a clear image of their perception. 

It may seem tedious and a lot of work, but it’s worth it. With communication clarity, it’s easier to meet employee expectations and resolve issues even before they arise. 

Bottom Line

Clarity in a workplace improves the overall environment, scope of collaboration, and productivity of the professionals. It’s the best way to streamline any business process. We recommend taking the time to identify business-related areas that lack clarity and ensure everything’s crystal clear.