How to Recognize the 5 Conflict Levels in the Workplace

5 Levels of Conflict

Level 1: Problem

Signs

• Language is generally open-hearted and constructive.
• People uses facts to back up the argument.

Level 2: Disagreement

Signs

• Language is self-protection.

Level 3: Contest

Signs

• Language is distorted where presumptions are made and over generalisation.

Level 4: Crusade

Signs

• The conflict becomes ideological and polarised.

Level 5: World War

Signs

• Language is little or non-existent.

Response Options

• Collaboration: Look for a win-win situation.
• Consensus: Look for a solution everyone can agree on.

Response Options

• Support: Empower team to resolve disagreement themselves.
• Safety: Use collaboration games to reinforce team shared values.

Response Options

• Accommodate: Yield to others viewpoint as the relationship more important than an issue.
• Negotiate: If an issue is “Dividable” then negotiation can work.
• Get Factual: Gather data on an issue to get facts.

Response Options

• Diplomacy: Be a facilitator between two groups as all communication has broken down.
• De-Escalate: Try to de-escalate the conflict to a lower level.

Response Options

• Unresolvable: Sometimes when it gets to level 5 the conflict is unresolvable and you need to figure out  a way everyone can remain working without hurting each other.

> More Information on Conflict Levels in Agile Environment

This article is part of the our 100 Agile Tools & Techniques epic article based off the PMI list of recommended techniques and tools in their PMI-ACP certification syllabus.