Effective Communication Skills for Conflict Management

Each person brings a unique set of skills, knowledge, beliefs and needs to any of interaction, whether at the workplace or in their personal life.

Against this backdrop, communication is a fundamental part of relationship-building and knowledge-transfer. Particularly in the workplace, a breakdown in communication can result in poor productivity, strained relationships, and a stressful work environment. By learning how to communicate more effectively, we can stop problems from escalating and make the workplace a more efficient and harmonious environment to be in. Communication, conflict, and cooperation are interrelated. Communication often plays a role in initiating disputes. How we articulate a particular grievance, the choice of words, nonverbal aspects of our message influence how this grievance is heard and the response we can expect. Effective communication skills, on the other hand, can help clarify, build rapport and support joint, creative problem-solving and turn potential conflicts into opportunities for deeper understanding.