The following are some conflict-reducing techniques outlined during Physician Health Services' seminar "Managing Workplace Conflict: Improving Personal Effectiveness" held in November 2008.
The techniques provide an overview of how to effectively reduce conflict in a healthcare setting by outlining how both sides can handle the problem to reach a peaceful conclusion:
Review the facts:
- How does your story differ from the other side's?
- Where do your data come from?
- Know your assumptions
- Realize it takes two to tango
- Use honesty
- Inquire, inquire Delay discussion when necessary
Handle emotions with care:
- Is there too much emotion or too little?
- Don't counterpunch
- Know when to back off
- Sense when your temper is rising and practice self-calming
Work with meanings:
- Reframe the problem
- Brainstorm possible solutions
- Define mutually acceptable outcomes
- See and express the problem as a neutral consultant might
- Show respect
Adapted from Physician Health Services' seminar "Managing Workplace Conflict: Improving Personal Effectiveness." This article originally ran in the February 2009 issue of The Doctor's Office, a HealthLeaders Media publication.