5 steps to manage conflict between team members gives you practical steps that you can implement to reduce and remove conflict between individuals and teams. 

 How to handle conflict between team members is not easy. It can be tough to know where to start. Don’t put off taking action to resolve workplace conflict. If you don’t then chances are that is will only get worse, causing you and your team even more problems. 

 The first step when thinking about how to manage conflict between employees is to be proactive. Ask the individuals what is causing the conflict. Ask the team members around them, their direct reports. Get as many viewpoints as sensible. Understanding what is going on gives you a solid starting point to resolving the conflict. 

 Next, if difficult or incompetent people are the cause of the conflict, deal with these people professionally and effectively. You can’t let an individual disrupt the team with their behaviour even if it is unintentional. 

 Once you have discarded individual behaviour and competence as the cause of the conflict, dig under the surface. There are lots of organisational reasons that push individuals into conflict. For instance if goals are not aligned or worse are in direct conflict with each other across teams. Did under the surface to find the causes of the conflict. 

 The next step in managing conflict is to work on the communication. A lot of conflict comes from differences, a lack of understanding, fear or perceived threat. I share 5 tips to handle conflict between employees to break down these barriers. Communication can significantly reduce conflict when it drives understanding on both sides. 

 Finally, when planning how to manage conflict between employees, you need to help implement change. Those involved in conflict are likely to need help to change the situation. Change what is in your control to resolve the conflict and build support and find allies to implement change within the wider business. 

 Conflict does not help anyone at work. Take steps to handle conflict between employees as soon as you become aware of the conflict. There is a lot you can do!