Conflict resolution is the process through which two or more individuals or groups settle a dispute by coming to a peaceful agreement. In the workplace, occasional clashes are inevitable, but unresolved conflicts can cause a loss of motivation and trust that leads to decreased productivity and increased turnover rates. Effective conflict resolution is important to an organization’s success because it can foster greater communication and ensure a healthy work environment.

Interpersonal skills such as active listening, empathy, and creative problem solving can resolve many types of conflicts. For example, identifying win-win opportunities for collaboration may offer paths to satisfy the needs of each party involved, and facilitation techniques can be used by team leaders to draw focus away from individual desires and instead emphasize group success. However, more serious conflicts that involve sexual harassment or discrimination may be handled by mediation from human resources, outside arbitration, or even litigation.

As the heads of teams and departments, managers of all types require adept conflict resolution skills to maintain harmony in the workplace. As organizations grow more culturally diverse, managers can also benefit from cross-cultural communication skills that enable conflict resolution to succeed despite differing assumptions, perceptions, and attitudes.

As the link between employees as well as between employees and management, human resources management is the central hub of conflict resolution within an organization. Human resource (HR) managers negotiate with employees, mediate disputes, and oversee the organization’s implementation of equal employment opportunities. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, they earn a median salary of $116,720 per year, and these jobs are expected to grow faster than average due to the increasing complexity of employment laws and employee benefits.

Yes! Coursera has a wide range of online courses and Specializations on conflict resolution and associated topics like intercultural communication, negotiation, and positive psychology. You’ll be taking courses from top-ranked institutions like the University of California Irvine, Emory University, and the University of Colorado Boulder, so you won’t have to sacrifice the quality of your education to learn online. And, with virtual office hours and collaborative group projects, you’ll have the opportunity to develop the interpersonal skills that are so important to conflict resolution.