Sometimes disagreements or conflicts occur at work with coworkers. However, it’s important to always maintain a level head. These tips below provide some great pointers for handling conflict in the workplace.

1. Talk it out

Talk with the other person. You may be disagreeing over work items so it’s important to find a quiet meeting room to discuss what can be done to get on the same page. Dealing with conflict at work may cause you to feel stressed or uncomfortable which is why it is important to be open with communication.

2. Focus on the specifics

Sometimes others don’t realize that they’ve done something to upset you. Be specific and describe the event that has made you upset instead of just issuing blame.

3. Listen before speaking

Instead of being ready for rebuttal, listen to the other person first. Don’t interrupt them and ask questions when needed. Many times, people are too busy thinking of how they’ll respond instead of listening first. Interrupting the other person may cause further conflict and show you’re not ready to discuss the situation at hand.

4. Agree to disagree

You may find that you don’t agree with certain rules, behaviors, or coworkers. It’s important to understand that everyone may not always agree with your opinions or vice-versa. You may want to try finding a middle ground that will allow you and your coworker to continue to focus on work assignments and not arguments.

5. Focus on a solution

You may find your conflict is based on your employer’s operations. If this is the case, try prioritizing a solution that will allow you to perform your work and be upfront with your supervisor.

One may not always agree with your coworkers or rules at work. Keep in mind that positivity will create for a much better environment in learning how to resolve conflict at work. Your hard work will pay off when you use your communication skills to tackle disagreements.

How do you handle conflicts at work? Comment below with your advice and share your story on UltiCareer’s survey to help others learn what your type of job is really like.