Leaders are often tasked with resolving conflict in the workplace. Whether there’s a problem between two coworkers or an issue regarding an employee’s performance, constructive feedback is vital to effective conflict resolution. Giving and receiving feedback can diffuse tension, open up communication, and allow a more constructive discussion about the situation at hand.

At Plum Leadership Group, we provide training programs for leadership teams who want to improve their skills in areas like conflict resolution. Below, we’ll discuss the role of feedback in resolving conflict and how our facilitators at Plum can help you enhance this skill. Keep reading to learn more!

The Role of Feedback in Conflict Resolution

Proper communication is essential to diffusing a problem, and a great way to open the lines of communication is by providing constructive feedback to each party involved in the dispute. This offers a structured way to discuss the problem, express concerns, and find a solution that benefits everyone. Not only can effective feedback help resolve immediate issues, but it can also lead to long-term improvements if it’s consistently provided in times of conflict.

For instance, if two employees differ on how to handle an upcoming project, a manager’s immediate feedback on their viewpoints will provide a chance to discuss the matter more constructively. This proactive approach will allow employees to see conflicts as opportunities for growth and compromise rather than threats. 

Barriers to Effective Feedback

Regardless of your goal, offering and receiving feedback during a conflict can be challenging. If it isn’t received well, this can result in an emotional reaction, raising the tension between everyone involved. Feedback can often be misinterpreted as criticism, which can cause employees to become defensive or resistant to your well-intended comments.

Miscommunication during feedback can also be an issue, as words intended to resolve the problem can be viewed as more fuel to the fire. A lack of trust within your team may also cause a reluctance in each involved party to have an open and honest discussion. This can make the conflict more difficult to resolve and hinder the effectiveness of your feedback.

How Executive Coaching Enhances Feedback Skills

If you’re unsure how your feedback will be received, our expert coaches at Plum can help you develop the skills required to deliver feedback constructively and effectively. A key skill we’ll help you focus on is Emotional Intelligence (EQ), a trait that will help you manage your own emotions while responding to your employees more thoughtfully during conflict. This will help you to phrase your feedback in a more empathetic and understanding way, which will help your effort to diffuse the situation rather than create more confrontation.

We’ll also provide you with the tools to adopt a growth mindset, enabling you to view feedback as a lesson for improvement rather than a personal attack. This will not only assist you in offering feedback more positively but also make you more receptive to like-comments directed towards you. 

Enhance Your Skills in Conflict Resolution with Plum

If you’d like to improve your skills in conflict resolution, our coaches at Plum are here to help! Through our training courses and/or coaching, we’ll help you excel at providing constructive feedback during times of high tension, allowing you to connect with your team and grow together as a sold unit.

Contact us today to learn more about our services!