Conflict will always arise; regrettably it is remains a part of life, and a part of doing business.
Whether you are in conflict with a client, a co-worker, a boss or a vendor, YOU are your best and only controllable asset.
Just as with conflicts in your personal life, your personality, attitude and effort will affect outcomes in your professional conflicts.
So while you cannot control anyone else in the conflict, you can proactively guide your personality, action (or reaction) and attitude.
How you handle yourself will affect the outcome of every conflict, following are some elements to focus on:
Your perspective: can this be a learning opportunity, a growing opportunity, can it somehow enhance your business, goals or skill set
Your response(s): Give some thought to who you are, and how you’d like to be perceived (internally and externally) during and after the conflict. Never be the one who is known to escalate drama, negativity or chaos surrounding a conflict
Self-evaluation: Be honest in your self-evaluation. Have your words, actions or attitudes contributed to either creating or sustaining the conflict. Watch your own story in the conflict, guard against a victimization mentality (portraying you or anyone else as a victim)
Your expectations: Consider whether your expectations for the people involved are realistic. Are your expectations of others achievable or impossible; have you been transparent with your expectations so others are aware of them; and most importantly, are you living up to the expectations you expect other to deliver; are you being a personal role model
Your goals: Clarify your goals and the outcome you hope to achieve. Think in terms of long-term rather than short-term results
Your character: Be your best self in a conflict; don’t allow a conflict or person to turn you into someone you don’t want to be; never give anyone the power to make you behave in an ugly dishonest or unethical manner
Keeping these things in mind will help you learn, grown and perhaps emerge stronger and better following every conflict, as well as help reduce conflicts in the future.