Conflict Resolution Scenario

Although each situation will have different dynamics in the workplace, I would try to approach resolving conflicts in this way:

Scenario:  Two people who have been working in completely different areas at one workplace get thrown together to work on a project that must get done.  Although each worker has their strengths and they do a good job individually, their personalities initially do not mesh with each other, and so there has been enough friction that it has come to my attention.  

Because I would not want this conflict to escalate any further, I would probably choose to schedule a sit-down meeting for as early in my schedule as is possible.  To prepare for the meeting, I would choose a meeting place that would not give either of the conflicting staff members a turf advantage, and I would ask them to prepare for the meeting by thinking about what they consider the problem and what they think their co-worker does well.

Once the two staff members had gathered in my designated meeting place, I would briefly set the rules in place.  I would make it clear that while I do not expect them to be best friends, I do expect them to act like professionals.  I would make it clear that I will not take sides in this conflict, and that I expect everyone involved to work towards an acceptable solution that allows for work to take place.  Additionally, I would make it clear that I will not tolerate name calling, off-topic rants, or interruptions from the other employee.  

After I set the ground rules for the discussion, I would ask each staff member to briefly summarize their view on the current conflict.  I would ask them to stay on-topic, and ask them to be as specific as possible when naming their grievances.  While each member is talking I would ask the other member to look directly at them but not interrupt them.  After each staff member has had their say, I would ask each staff member what specific actions they would like to see happen to solve the conflict.  

Through this time, I would try to keep the discussion as on-topic as possible, and I would not permit side-topic rants to distract us from coming to a solution.  After each staff member has talked about their perspective of the conflict and what actions they would prefer to see happen, I would try to use those suggestions to form a compromise that would allow each staff member to gain what they think is most important.  

I would set some specific goals, actions,  and deadlines for implementing those actions, and  I would also set a meeting time for a couple of weeks into the future to evaluate whether these actions are helping to generate a solution to the conflict.  Before that follow-up meeting, I would make sure to notice and compliment any positive changes that I notice from each of the workers. 

Hopefully these actions and the plan will provide the necessary tools for the staff members to resolve their conflicts and deal with thier disagreements in a constructive fashion, but if the actions did not help, I would probably try to seek outside help such as a mediator.  Addionally, if I feared for the life or safety of any of my workers, I would immediately involve the security office.