How to Handle Office Conflicts
Handling conflict in any office can be simple if you are smart about the process. You should always think about why someone would be trying to draw you into conflicts in the workplace. Usually this is because they are trying to promote themselves at your expense. Most people that seek conflict do so because they are not confident in their own ability to keep their job. Therefore, they try to create problems so that they can advance themselves when a spot becomes opened by someone leaving.
If you do not acknowledge the problems in the office, the person wants to get attention so they will move on to another target. This is the best way to make sure that you are not involved in something that will lead to your own personal termination. Most people are too sensitive when it comes to what people say about them at work. As long as you're capable of doing your job, your bosses will not care about what is being said about you around office meetings and conversations.
Personal pride is not something that matters in the face of public perception. If you are going to let what other people say affect you, the chances of going far in your career are greatly diminished. This is not because you do not have skills, but if you allow yourself to be controlled by what other people say, you will not be working to your highest potential. This will lead to missed promotional chances because you do not have the right of competence to step toward more responsibility in the eyes of management.
If you feel that you are being harassed, the best thing for you to do is report this to the human resources department and let them handle the situation. The problem with this is that it will often create an environment where you are considered someone who constantly complains. This should not affect your promotion ability, however sometimes supervisors do not want to promote someone who cannot handle their own conflicts. Learning positive conflict resolution techniques is always going to enhance your professional career.
If you have a professional job, you must remember that you have the skills to obtain the job to begin with. You must believe in yourself and your abilities to handle unexpected conflict situations. Failure to do this will affect your self-esteem and by proxy your job performance. Remember, you hold the ability to be a successful professional by your own conduct and outlook on your job.
