Effective internal communication is essential for improving the workplace environment and anticipating conflicts in your company. In this article, we explain how internal communication (IC) can help establish processes that anticipate conflict resolution and minimize risks.
Anticipating internal conflicts
Without a doubt, clear and constant internal communication can prevent conflicts by ensuring that all employees are well-informed about company policies, procedures, and changes. This reduces misunderstandings and rumors that can cause friction.
IC workplace environment and anticipate conflicts
Establishing communication channels for expressing concerns and suggestions is key. Constant feedback allows leaders to proactively address issues.
How to work on internal communication to face critical moments?
We suggest implementing these five points to strengthen internal communication:
- Transparency: Transparency in communication builds trust between employees and leaders. When information is shared openly and honestly, suspicions and resentments that provoke conflicts are less likely to arise.
- Clarifying roles: Setting expectations minimizes ambiguities and reduces the chances of conflicts related to misunderstandings about who is responsible for what.
- Fostering a positive work environment: Promoting a culture of open and positive communication creates an environment where conflicts are handled constructively. Internal communication can be used to celebrate achievements, recognize efforts, and promote collaboration.
- Training and development: Training employees and leaders in communication and conflict resolution skills improves the management of differences. Development programs can include mediation techniques and strategies for handling conflicts.
- Mediation and facilitation: Internal communication can mediate and facilitate dialogues between conflicting parties, involving the People department or an internal mediation team to resolve disputes fairly.
Conflict resolution strategies
Despite establishing processes, unforeseen events can happen.
It’s essential to have a Plan B to overcome obstacles. In crises, quick and accurate internal communication keeps everyone informed and reduces tensions.
Steps for effective conflict resolution
The University of Berkeley proposes several steps for effective conflict resolution:
- Recognize the difficult situation: This is the first step to address it properly.
- Allow people to express their feelings: Creating a safe space for employees to express their feelings is fundamental.
- Define the problem: Meet with employees initially to better understand the situation.
- Determine underlying needs: Understanding the needs behind proposed solutions is crucial to generate options that benefit all parties.
- Find common areas of agreement: While there may be differences, it is key to find points of agreement on the problem, the procedure to follow, the biggest fears, and make small changes to achieve initial successes. This helps build trust and move towards a broader solution.
- Seek solutions that meet needs: Generate multiple alternatives to solve the problem, decide on actions to take, and ensure that all parties agree with the proposed actions.
- Determine follow-up: Schedule follow-up meetings to assess progress and determine additional actions if the conflict is not resolved.
Promoting a culture of conflict resolution
Training in communication and mediation
Offer training programs to develop effective communication and conflict mediation skills among employees.
Encouraging empathy and collaboration
Promote values like empathy and collaboration through internal campaigns and team activities.
Clear policies
Establish clear and accessible policies on conflict resolution and ensure that all employees are familiar with them.
Work environment at the center
Effective conflict resolution is crucial for maintaining a good work environment and improving productivity. Solid and proactive internal communication allows conflicts to be managed efficiently, ensuring solutions are inclusive and beneficial for everyone.
It’s important to recognize that certain conflicts are inevitable and can be valuable opportunities to learn, evaluate, and improve. Conflicts indicate that something is not working correctly, and accepting them instead of getting frustrated allows us to grow and improve.
At Oxean, we are here to help you navigate the conflicts that may arise in your organization. We will guide you and offer the best solutions, tailored to your company’s type and values.
