Leadership

The 5 'Cs' Approach to Conflict Resolution

in the Workplace
Here's how you can improve your company's cohesion.

BY RICHARD TREVINO II • JUN 10, 2020 Share

fizkes | Getty Images

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

We all face conflict at some point in our day, whether professionally

and personally. Conflict at work, while unfortunate, is to be expected.
Everyone is different. Differences lead to conflict when individuals
cannot agree. And because conflict is inevitable, it's best to prepare so
that we can handle ourselves when disputes arise. As a leadership
consultant who has worked with smaller companies and Fortune 500
companies, I have developed what I call the "5C" approach to
handling conflict.

Here are the five ways to approach conflict in the workplace.

AD

Check Locality Insights

99ACRES Get answer to all your concerns with locality insights on
99acres.com

1. Carefully listen.

Every conflict has sides. Before deciding how to resolve a conflict,

make sure to listen carefully to what each party is saying. Careful
listening is one of the best ways to handle conflict as it allows you to
validate others' ideas and let them know that they are being heard,
regardless of whether you agree or not.

Related: How to Mediate a Conflict Between Your Employees

Let both sides present their ideas. Make sure that one group doesn't
interrupt the other, reserving comments during this phase. This
presentation of ideas isn't about establishing whose argument is
better, but about carefully listening to each side. Perhaps these
seemingly opposing ideas can be combined for a more effective
outcome — but you and your team won't know it unless everyone
learns to listen carefully to each other.

2. Considerately look at the situation.

When conflicts arise, emotions and anxieties are heightened. To avoid

worsening the situation, make sure that your teams learn to
understand each other, even when they don't agree. Part of being
able to listen carefully is being able to understand and accept others'
ideas. Remember that you're not always right, and your ideas aren't
necessarily the best. Remind your team of this, as well, as you mediate
the conflict.

Related: 5 Ways To Enable Your Team For Better Conflict Resolution

Careful thought and consideration are important. After having your

team listen to each other, give them time to consider what they have
said. Have them summarize their points of agreement and
disagreement and ask them to work together on a compromise. Keep
an open mind, and make sure that your team members keep their
minds open to others' opinions and ideas.

3. Calmly discuss the conflicting perspectives.

How we respond to conflict can intensify tension. Conflicts worsen

when the arguing parties become emotional, and the argument
becomes personal. The best way to handle conflict is to stay calm:
Calmer minds produce clearer ideas. Keep yourself and your team
calm. Avoid showing signs that you agree with one group and not
another. Show your team that you can keep calm and reasonable.
Insist all parties talk to each other in a relaxed and civil manner. Don't
let emotions overwhelm the situation by making sure no one shouts,
makes offensive comments, or blames.

4. Conscientiously look at the facts.

Be sure you have all the facts before making any decisions to resolve a
conflict. Clarify the points first, taking into consideration each person's
different perspectives. For instance, if a conflict arises while the team
is deciding how to solve a problem, try to identify what each team
member perceives as the problem. Different perspectives on the same
problem will lead everyone to consider different solutions. Let
everyone present their ideas without interruption so that you can all
get the relevant facts you need to make an informed decision. As with
careful listening and consideration, be sure to listen to each person
and consider the facts they present. Be thorough in your investigation.

5. Cooperatively work together.

All four C's should help your team to work together in resolving the
conflict. With each of these tips, you're focusing your team on
addressing the shared problem instead of attacking each other's
personality. Because you and your team carefully listened,
considerately looked at the situation, calmly discussed perspectives
and conscientiously looked at the facts, you can all cooperate despite
initial disagreement.

Related: 6 Strategies to Resolve Conflict at Work

Letting everyone be a part of conflict resolution teaches your team

how to handle conflict for themselves. The next time they find
themselves disagreeing, they are less likely to need your intervention.

Richard Trevino II
ENTREPRENEUR LEADERSHIP NETWORK WRITER
International Leadership Consultant, Coach, and Writer

Richard Trevino II is an international consultant, coach,

and writer specializing in the expertise of leadership and
soft skills development. His goal is to use personal and
professional development to help others grow in life and
business. Join him at: elevationconsultingfirm.com

RELATED TOPICS

Leadership Conflict

EDITOR'S PICK

This Former Super Bowl Champion Built a Platform to Support

Mental Health in the Black Community

3 Expert-Backed Strategies for Blowing People Away With Your First

Impression

'Agree to Disagree' Can Lead to Feuds and Fallouts. Here's a Better

Way to Handle Conflict.

'Just Manic for Eggs Right Now': This Farm Has a Waiting List for
Fresh Eggs

The Top 15 Fitness Franchises You Can Buy in 2023

This Matchmaker Won't Apologize for Her $50,000 Minimum —

Here's the Secret Weapon She Uses to Play Cupid

MOST POPULAR See all

LIVING

8 Life Lessons I Wish I'd Known Sooner

If you're feeling angry, disappointed, frustrated or powerless in any area of
your life, I promise that these eight life lessons I've learned will change
everything for you.

BY AMY M CHAMBERS

BU S I N E SS N EWS

7 Ways to Use ChatGPT at Work to Boost Your Productivity, Make

Your Job Easier, and Save a Ton of Time
OpenAI's ChatGPT and similar AI tools may not replace jobs anytime soon.
But they can help workers across many industries – from tech to media – do
their jobs better and more quickly.

BY JACOB ZINKULA AND AARON MOK

BU S I N E SS N EWS

Super Bowl Ad Shows Self-Driving Tesla Decapitating a

Mannequin and Running Over Baby Strollers
The spot was sponsored by The Dawn Project, which is highly critical of Tesla's
Full Self-Driving software.

BY JONATHAN SMALL

BU S I N E SS N EWS

Disneyland Guests Rescued After Pirates of the Caribbean Boat

Starts Sinking Mid-Ride: 'We Were Gonna Swim Our Way Out'
The beloved attraction has been open in the park since 1967.

BY EMILY RELLA

EM P LOY EE EXP ERIENCE & REC RUITING

78% of Employers Are Using Remote Work Tools to Spy on You.

Here's a More Effective (and Ethical) Approach to Tracking
Employee Productivity.
Research and common sense show that the practice does far more harm than
good.

BY MARK BANFIELD

BU S I N E SS N EWS

It's Not Just You: T-Mobile Appears to be Down for Customers All
Over East Coast
More than 4,500 customers reported issues with the cellular service provider
early Tuesday afternoon.

BY EMILY RELLA

Terms of Use

Privacy Policy

Cookies Policy

Site Map

Contact Support

Advertise

Sign up for our free Daily newsletter

We'll be in your inbox every morning Monday-Saturday with all the day’s top
business news, inspiring stories, best advice and exclusive reporting from
Entrepreneur.

Enter email address* Subscribe

I understand that the data I am submitting will be used to provide me with the above-
described products and/or services and communications in connection therewith.

Read our privacy policy for more information.

Copyright © 2023 Entrepreneur Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Entrepreneur® and its
related marks are registered trademarks of Entrepreneur Media Inc.