5 Types Of Conflict And How To Resolve Them

Conflict happens – it’s part of working with people. But not all conflict is the same. People WILL leave if it’s not managed well.

Here’s what I (and many studies) see as the 5 of the main causes of workplace conflict…and how to resolve them 👇

👉 Communication Conflict: One study found that 39% of workplace conflicts arise from communication differences. This happens when messages are misunderstood, unclear, or not delivered effectively. It can also occur when there is too little communication or too much information.

Resolve it through:
✔️ Holding regular 1:1 and team check-ins
✔️ Reviewing communication and information flow as part of process improvement efforts
✔️ Improving meeting management

👉 Values Conflict: Research indicates that 18% of conflicts are due to clashing values. This happens when people have differing core beliefs, principles, or ethics. For example, one person may prioritize work-life balance, while another values staying late to meet deadlines. The clash comes from differing ideals or what people believe is right.

Resolve it through:
✔️ Focusing on shared goals and common ground.
✔️ Respecting different viewpoints
✔️ Investing in people and leader development, to develop these skills in everyone.

👉 Resource Conflict: A study found that 33% of workplace conflicts are due to too much work without enough support or a clash over differing cross- departmental priorities.

Resolve it through:
✔️ Being fair and transparent about resources.
✔️ Prioritizing tasks when resources are limited.
✔️ Working together to find creative solutions.

👉 Personality Conflict: One study found that a whopping 49% of workplace conflicts are attributed to clashes between personalities or egos. This comes down to how people behave, how they judge others and their level of EQ.

Resolve it through:
✔️ Learning about different work styles.
✔️ Practicing empathy and understanding.
✔️ Investing in team EQ development and team bonding

👉 Role Conflict: Unclear roles and responsibilities can cause confusion and disputes. Approximately 22% of workplace conflicts is said to stem from unclear roles.

Resolve it through:
✔️ Clearly defining roles and responsibilities.
✔️ Reviewing job duties regularly and using them in 1:1’s.
✔️ Discussing and fix any role overlaps.