Conflict Resolution Steps

The conflict resolution steps are straightforward on paper. Prepare, open, listen, find the shared interest, agree an action, follow up. The one that decides the outcome is the first.

Preparation means knowing what you actually want from the conversation, what you are willing to move on, and what the other person is likely to be protecting. Ten minutes of that changes the conversation entirely.

Most people skip straight to opening, which is why so many attempts turn into a rehearsal of positions. Without preparation there is nothing to trade, so both parties defend.

The second most skipped is the last. An agreement nobody checks tends to quietly lapse, and the next round starts from a worse position because someone has learnt that agreements do not hold.

Safe Work Australia covers the psychosocial duty. This is general information rather than legal advice.

See Sentrient’s conflict resolution course and workplace compliance courses.