How Good Leaders Handle Internal Conflict in the Workplace
In a small or large scale company, various problems must have occurred, starting from internal or external problems.
In terms of internal problems, the problems that occur are not just business problems, but also employee performance issues, leadership style, to management issues. This is known as internal conflict.
What is Internal Conflict?
Conflict means disputes, both between individuals, individuals with institutions, and institutions with institutions.
Conflict is a social process between two individuals or social groups in which each party tries to get rid of the other party in order to achieve its goals by means of providing resistance accompanied by threats and violence.
Conflict itself is divided into two, namely external and internal conflict.
Company Internal Conflict Issues
No business runs without problems. Conflict in the workplace is one of the most common problems in business, whether it's conflict between divisions, individuals in one division, or superiors and subordinates.
If this occurs within the company, this conflict must be resolved immediately so as not to disrupt performance and work in progress. Internal conflicts not only disturb the conflicting parties, but can also hamper the performance of all employees and the company.
For example, there is a conflict between the sales and marketing divisions. If this is allowed to drag on, it will not only impact the two divisions, but can also cause problems for other divisions, such as the finance division. This will greatly disrupt teamwork and make productivity decrease.
Classification of Internal Conflict Problems
Internal conflict is divided into 3 types based on the subject or actor, namely: personal, intragroup and intergroup conflict.
1. Personal Conflict
This conflict occurs between individuals, and usually occurs because of an incompatibility with each other's personalities and/or simply not liking each other.
In addition, this conflict can also occur due to rivalry in the world of work, performance inequality, miscommunication, and bad leadership.
2. Intragroup Conflict
In simple terms, this conflict occurs between a person and a group or other work division.
This usually happens because of seniority, position, and limited access to express opinions.
Usually, the group with this problem is a group that has a poor performance and shifts responsibility.
Usually, their time would run out to tear each other down, when they should have used it to solve problems together.
3. Intergroup Conflict
This conflict occurs between divisions that exist within a company.
These conflicts usually occur because of rivalry and miscommunication.
For example, the conflict between the sales division and the finance division, the sales team considers that operational costs are considered insufficient to achieve the specified target. Meanwhile, the finance division cannot change the operational budget, because it is in accordance with the company's budget.
Factors Affecting Internal Conflicts
There are many things that cause conflict in the company. The following are factors that affect conflict within the company.
1. Passive-Agressive Behavior
This behavior is a sabotage behavior that is carried out by someone against other people or other groups.
This behavior often occurs in managers with their subordinates, and often occurs due to mistakes at work.
A bad manager will always make his subordinates a scapegoat to cover up his mistakes or shortcomings.
Meanwhile, when the team is rewarded, only the manager gets recognition and reward for the team's efforts.
2. Bullying and Harassment
Bullying and harassment don't just happen at school, the problem of internal company conflicts is still often encountered in companies or workplaces.
If this happens, the victim will feel uncomfortable and have difficulty focusing on his work, because he/she will focus on protecting himself/herself.
Not only does it affect the company, this problem can also have a negative impact on the victim personally, such as withdrawing from group activities and decreasing self-confidence.
As the leader of the company, you can impose penalties for the perpetrators of bullying.
3. Unclear Job Description
Many companies do not provide clarity of duties and roles to their employees. This can create miscommunication between employees and companies, superiors, and management.
The lack of clarity on the roles and duties of an employee can lead to overlapping jobs, and employees will choose jobs that are easy to complete.
Due to the lack of clarity in job descriptions, "seniority" will often occur, senior employees will choose easy jobs, and difficult jobs are given to junior or new employees..
Tips for Overcoming Internal Conflict in the Workplace
As an HR, CEO, or the leader of the company, you are the party responsible for internal conflict.
There are several ways to deal with internal conflicts in the workplace that you can do, before it impacts personnel productivity and performance.
Intervention
This is the first step you can take to prevent the problem from spreading and getting bigger.
Try to ask the manager or boss of the employee who has the problem to ask about the origin of the problem, and any complaints they are experiencing.
However, this intervention cannot be carried out with superiors who turn out to be the source of these problems.
Counseling
As an HRD, you must often hear the problems and complaints of an employee, right?
To resolve internal conflicts, you must start opening counseling sessions to individuals or groups that have problems.
Counseling is done to listen and understand the problems that occur.
By conducting a counseling session, you can identify the source of the problem and find the best solution in the fairest way. So that troubled parties can compromise and return to focus on their duties and job responsibilities.
Controllable Confrontation
Confrontations can take place at the division level, where the conflict occurs.
Individuals who have problems can immediately submit their complaints and problems under direct supervision by other co-workers or managers.
However, if conflicts occur between managers and personnel, then supervision can be carried out by people who have positions higher than the manager.
Overall Change
Overall changes need to be made if negative impacts occur because the conflict is considered to be very disturbing and endangers the existence of the company.
This could actually have been avoided if the company paid attention and found a way out sooner.
Keep in mind, that your task as HRD is not only to do company administration and employees.
As a good HRD, you also have to take responsibility for internal conflicts at workplace.
