Conflict Resolution Guide

Two employees not seeing eye to eye? Use this guide to facilitate a discussion on how their natural strengths can contribute to a better working relationship using PI’s Relationship Guide. 

Looking to have this conversation today? Download the low C one-pager.

For those with more time, continue reading for a five step guide on using behavioral data to work towards conflict resolution between two employees. You will need access to the PI Inspire tool and at least 2 days.

1. Send an email and gather the facts.

Conflict between two people is often the result of a lack of shared understanding. Before you get these employees in the same room, you’ll want to level set expectations.

In a message or email, ask both employees to address the following:

• The issue and its effect on their performance
• A specific example of the issue at hand
• Their ideal solution and how it will positively impact their performance moving forward 

Help both people familiarize themselves with their natural strengths and challenges in working with others with the Relationship Guide. 

2. Capture the facts in the conflict resolution worksheet.

After you receive both responses, capture the facts and your own self-reflection in the “Before the session” section of the conflict resolution worksheet (you can fill this out directly on your computer!). 

The conflict resolution worksheet should help you organize the information uncovered during this process. It is divided into 3 sections that you will fill out before, during, and after your meeting with your employees.

3. Meet to explore possible solutions.

Facilitate the meeting by filling out the “During the session” section of the worksheet.

Your job as a facilitator is to create a common language your team members can use so they can work better together. Try to re-word employee conflict in terms of shared goals, behavioral drives, or your organization’s own unique lingo to create a bridge of communication for the employees in conflict. When the playing field is level and everyone is speaking the same language, this will open up space for you to guide both parties toward a solution that works for everyone. Use the worksheet to take notes and organize thoughts.

PI PRO TIP: leave 5-10 minutes at the end of the meeting for both employees to address anything that was left unsaid.

What you’ll bring to the meeting:

• Conflict Resolution worksheet with the “Before the session” section filled out
• Conflict Resolution 1 pager for conversation structure and sample prompts
• Relationship Guide for both employees

4. Propose a solution and align expectations.

Complete the “After the session” section of the worksheet and form a solution.

After the meeting’s over, you should have a new, deeper understanding of the conflict. If a resolution wasn’t already decided upon in the meeting, it is now your responsibility to take what you know and recommend a solution.

Fill out the “After the session” section of the worksheet and use the context of team dynamics plus your own knowledge of your organization to form a solution that will satisfy both parties.

5. Follow up to discuss the solution and timeline for action.

Send out a follow-up email to recap what’s been discussed and to propose your solution. Indicate that you will revisit the topic at a later date to determine if progress has been made, and attach the Relationship Guide and worksheet, if needed.