The Hidden Costs of Conflict in the Workplace

Conflicts & TensionsTeamwork & CooperationAll employees≈ 15 min

Key skill: Conflict management & resolution

Summary

Measure the often-underestimated costs of unresolved conflict — stress, absenteeism, lost productivity, formal procedures — on team members, the organisation, and the manager, to step in early and favour an accepted solution over letting the situation fester.

Target audience

Anyone who has to manage conflicts

Learning objectives

Assess the impact and cost of a conflict on team members, the team, the manager, and the organisation.
Protect teams from the potential effects of conflict on team members' motivation and health.
Prevent the productivity loss and financial costs caused by team members' demotivation and absenteeism.
Resolve conflict quickly and collaboratively, even accepting an imperfect solution, rather than letting it fester.

Module outline

ArticlesThe cost of conflict: presenting study findings · Conflict and engagement: the CIPD study (UK) · The impact of a two-person conflict on the team
Expert videoA detailed look at the impact of conflict on team members, the organisation, and the manager
AnchoringQuiz and True/False questions to dive deeper into the topic and cement what you've learned
Memo cardDownloadable coaching memo card: the key points from the expert video
CommitmentConcrete examples to help you define your own commitment

Models & methods

The manager's role: facilitator, mediator, or arbitrator; assessing the short-, medium-, and long-term costs of conflict.

Research-based

Management Development Institute study; OpinionWay 2021 study (€152 billion/year in France); CIPD study in the UK (54% of employees).