It would be nice if everyone got along all the time, especially when you have to work together. Unfortunately, unless you work alone with just your favorite pet to keep you company, that usually isn't the case. Whether it's different personalities that tend to rub each other the wrong way, different work styles that don't mesh, or just simply misunderstandings that turn into something more, workplace conflict is very real and it can have a negative impact on your business as a whole. For tips on how to deal with this, and to learn more about Stockpile inventory management for small businesses, keep reading.
When conflict arises in the workplace it's important to determine the root cause. Sometimes a person isn't quite themselves when they are going through something in their personal life. If one of your coworkers is suddenly grumpy or seems to have less patience, it is worth taking the time to find out why. If something is going on in their personal life, you might not be able to fix it but, it could really help them to know that you care. These are usually short term issues that resolve themselves fairly quickly. At the very least, you may gain some understanding and have some empathy for them.
Try not to take things personally. It's human nature to take things personally. If someone is angry, they're probably mad at you. If they have a frown on their face it's the result of something you did or didn't do. In reality, their bad mood could be caused by any number of things and chances are they have nothing to do with you. Don't assume that you're responsible for their attitude. There's no point in getting upset about something that has nothing to do with you. Don't take it personally until you're sure that you are in fact the cause.
Don't read into interactions. Again, it's human nature to try to read the nuances of conversation. Face to face discussions can be tricky to read, e-mail or text messages are even harder. Don't make assumptions. A short e-mail is probably the result of the sender being in a time crunch, not a lack of respect for you or annoyance at something you did. An abruptly ended conversation may just indicate they had need to leave quickly.
If you've tried all of the above and still find yourself having issues with a coworker the best course of action is to have discuss your feelings with them. Don't talk about your coworkers behind their back. That could make the existing problem even worse and will only make you look bad in the process. When beginning the conversation, remain calm and avoid assigning blame. You could say something like, "We seem to be having an issue lately, and I'd really like to work it out. It's important to me that we have a good working relationship." This way you're blaming the other person, but you're not opening the door and taking blame yourself. With any luck, this is all it will take to resolve the issue. If not, at least you can tell your boss that you tried to resolve it on your own before involving them in the situation.
Inventory Issues? Not If You Use Stockpile Inventory Management for Small Businesses
Stockpile inventory management for small businesses can't resolve your coworker conflicts but it can make managing inventory pain-free. Stockpile is the free easy inventory solution that you need to manage your inventory within a single location or across multiple ones. Stockpile is designed for small businesses, but it is not a small or limited solution. Stockpile will grow with your business. Plus, it's fully customizable and mobile compatible. To see what Stockpile can do for you, try it today!
