What is the best way to resolve disputes with your co-workers? How can you effectively handle conflict at the work place?
Appa Saheb
Bidar
Getting along with your co-workers can be the hardest thing to do sometimes. Think about how you feel when people disagree in your presence, or when you are confronted. Do you withdraw from conflict? Do you deny the issue, or try to rationalise away the feelings with facts? Perhaps you're someone who always gives in just to end the argument, or you feel you need to force your opinion on others. Whatever your attitude, you need to understand it before you can be effective in dealing with conflict. Your attitude could be the reason behind it. Take a good, honest look at yourself and if you don't like what you see, then its time you modified your behavior. Concentrate on resolving work related issues rather than personal feuds.
Whether you know it or not, your workplace has its own `conflict personality.' Some people just smile and pretend conflict doesn't exist. Others may allow the "bullies" to take control while leaving others to quietly stew, or plot revenge. Still others resolve disputes by pulling rank or "going by the book," ignoring the personalities and realities of the situation. Very few workplaces recognise conflict as inevitable but manageable. People can usually reach an equitable agreement and prevent escalation if they deal with conflict directly and honestly
If you are ever asked about a possible conflict with a colleague, the best answer is to tell the interviewer about the dispute and how you resolved it .You could also mention how you were able to work together productively after the episode.
Remember that employers are sick of dealing with employee conflicts and they want a mature person who can resolve conflict on his own without tattling or complaining to the boss.
`
`Im not really sure if you are suitable for the job'.How best do I handle a comment like that?
Meenu George
Tiruvananthapuram
Don't take this statement at face value. Although it may sound critical the interviewer is actually asking you to convince him once and for all why you think you are the right person for the job.
The question is asked in this format to see if you are easily intimidated and defeated by blatant negative criticism. The interviewer wants to test how determined you are -- to really discover how much you will fight to get the job.
So tackle the question head-on. Don't let the way it is phased knock your confidence or poise.
In fact the interviewer may probably be quite deliberately vague as his question is really a request for you to finally convince him that you are right for the job. Nevertheless, use what he says as an opportunity to emphasise again all the main reasons why you believe you can do the job.
When you do that, the interviewer will most likely be impressed not only by your answer but also by the way you turned an apparently negative question around and skillfully used it in such a positive way.
[The FAQ column deals with career concerns addressed to the C&K Management Ltd. P.O. Box 2178, Secunderabad 500003 or emailed to faqs@cnkonline.com]
Printer friendly
page Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
