Problems are an inevitable part of any workplace situation. It can be problems within the working staff, such as your coworkers fighting or a management issue where you have to take charge. It can even be a small argument that one can easily resolve. 

Learning and understanding the problem is the first step to a long-term and successful workplace, regardless of the kind of issue you are dealing with

Misunderstanding is one of the top reasons for conflicts in the workplace. As a manager, it’s your job to monitor these conflicts and prevent them from firing up before they become too serious. A healthy one-on-one talk with the parties involved is a classic example of how a small effort to understand and resolve conflict can go a long way. 

Understanding Workplace Problems: Why It Matters?

Workplace arguments can lead to several problems, with lower productivity being the primary. Conflicts within a firm can go a long way, leading to weak roots within the office. Therefore, as a manager, it’s your job to ask questions and try to find the real reason behind a problem. 

However, your approach to conflict resolution matters the most. It will likely backfire if you try to resolve a situation with an upper hand. Instead, it’s best to approach the problem empathetically and easily. For instance, you begin by asking questions during conflicts.

These conflicts give you a clearer idea of another’s point of view. You can ask them to present their side of the story with a polite request such as “Please help me understand the way you are seeing this issue and what might be done to resolve it.” 

Collecting information through questions applies to both technical and employee-related problems. For instance, if you are dealing with a technical problem, you try asking, “Can you help me see where we might have missed something or if there is another way to approach this issue?” 

Try to gain as much perception and input as possible. There’s no harm in accepting that you might need a third-party glance at the problem instead of trying to resolve everything yourself. You can even be slightly more direct and ask questions like “Have we properly identified the problem here?” forward.

With a little trial and testing, you will have it sorted out in no time. However, this is impossible if you don’t seek to understand the problem.

Will You Understand Every Problem Right Away?

A common issue with managers and conflict resolution is they try to push employees for an immediate dialogue or solution. However, that’s not the wisest approach. There’s a chance they don’t fully understand the problem—much like you. 

Try giving them a little space and some time to rethink their stance. Whether it’s a technical problem, or employee conflict, a bit of rethinking can help identify the right approach.  

Moreover, dealing with difficult employees is just as big of a problem as the other technical issues you might face. Focus on understanding the problem, and you’ll address the issues better.

Bottom Line

Conflict resolution is a necessary skill required for effective managers. However, resolving issues is only possible if you understand the problem completely. We recommend keeping an open approach and gaining as much input regarding a problem as possible. It’s the best way to find the optimal solution to any problem.