Conflict Resolution Techniques

There is not a single workplace that does not have its own set of problems. When it comes to the corporate sector, there are numerous problems, but none without a solution. Today, more and more people are joining the corporate culture, leading to more problems and chaotic situations. 

Being a life coach and an entrepreneur, I have to carry both, health and work of employees together. But, many managers or bosses do not pay any attention to the employee’s well-being. Such work culture works like monarchy rule and not a democratic workplace. Conflicts in a workplace is like a termite. You won’t even know when it will start eating your organization. If conflicts are not resolved on time, they will eat-up your organization from the depths.  

I have always given priority to the mental health of my employees. However, sometimes you cannot control everything, and things run out of your hands. I remember once we hired new talent in our organization. He had just completed his master’s and joined our business.

This guy was really efficient and skilled in his job. He would never make a mistake, you would never find anything wrong in his research or presentations. Everyone was impressed with his way of working. Things went well for the first few months.

However, soon he started making friends. His coworkers would appreciate his work and respect him. Being funny, productive, and efficient, everyone would think to themselves, ‘This person is really good at their job.’

Everyone started feeling this way for him. He would often teach other people skills and his working style. Everyone loved him and working with him. But soon, a new side of him started showing up. A side that no one appreciated or respected.

He soon started criticizing everything and everyone around him. He would talk something at your face and bitch about you behind your back. He started undermining people and interrupting in meetings. He would throw his ideas on others and expect everyone to follow what he feels was right. Things started getting harsh, and his coworkers started staying away from him. He even started taking credits and ownership of people’s ideas. 

Things got even worse when he started saying, “I’m your boss.” Although he was not the boss, he would often refer to himself as one. It started bothering the people working in the same team. It was a team of five members, and all members were considered equal. But, he would often give commands pretending to be the ‘team lead’ which he clearly was not.

I started getting complaints about his behavior. So much so that sometimes the entire team except him would come and complain about their frustration. We were at a workplace lunch party once. So, I decided to check and meet this person to understand his behavior and working attitude.

I went towards their team and started appreciating their work. I said, “ Hey! You guys have improved your working style.” 

Before anyone could say something, he replied, “ My team is the best mam, I make sure they give their best.” 

I said, “ We all are a team and I hope you know you’re not their boss.”

He started laughing to cover his mistake and said he didn’t mean that. Although it was a party and could not say anything to him, I knew the complaints were right, and this person was very proud of himself. I called him, and why is he so bossy around his coworkers. He said he was the most educated and qualified out of his team members, and it automatically made him their superior. 

I was stunned to see that attitude and mindset. However, I could not lose my calm and so I decided to handle the situation in a calm manner. I told him that I’d given him the team of most skilled people because he was good at his job too. But, as his team members have been complaining about him, I decided to change his team.

Now, since this guy thought teams and bosses are made based on qualification and seniority, I blended him into the team of most qualified and old employees of mine. He understood my lesson here and gave up his bossy attitude amongst his new team. He later apologized to his team and asked them to take him back in.

If you see the signs of an ego-driven person, you need to manage that as soon as you can. You will not want them to start pushing in your role and responsibilities. It is very important to set boundaries before they are broken.