Conflicts in the workplace can lead to rifts, a reduction in productivity and a multitude of human resources issues. These conflicts can often be accounted for by lapses in communication at the most fundamental level and if left unaddressed, can fester and ultimately affect the bottom line.

Recent research reveals that, on average, managers spend two hours per week resolving conflict between employees. This adds up to a frightening figure in terms of total time, and money, lost by both those involved in the conflict and those trying to manage it.

The consequences of unresolved or ineffectively resolved conflict can reach further than those immediately involved and adversely affect the morale of a whole team. Many managers and organisations avoid conflict resolution and brush it under the carpet. However this can lead to the conflict escalating and doing a great deal of damage.

Communication skills training can help with managing conflict on two levels, avoiding conflict in the first place and resolving it should it occur.

If certain communication skills are instilled and applied within a team at an early stage then much conflict can be avoided. It is vitally important for team members to understand that different people have different ways of communicating and interacting, which is dependent on their personality style.

By gaining an understanding of these different styles and where people are coming from, employees can frame what they want to say in a way that is likely to get a better reaction. It also helps people to avoid reacting badly to a communication by getting them to think about things from another point of view.

Instead of focussing on other people, individuals can look at themselves and ask the question, what can I do to communicate more effectively with colleagues? Successful teams consist of many different types of personality and team members need to appreciate this fundamental fact. By catering behaviour to team member\'s personalities conflict can be avoided.

One of the fundamental communication skills is to look for the positives in what is being said. Instead of reacting to an idea being rejected, or a task being demanded, look for the positive in what is being asked. There are often positive reasons behind communication techniques that can grate against others personalities.

By considering scenarios from other team member\'s perspectives individuals can gain a greater understanding of why they have taken offence to something. If an email seems short or blunt then it could be for many reasons and not necessarily directed personally at the recipient. By not giving an immediate response and considering the other person, the cycle of emotionally charged emails can be avoided.

Much conflict can be avoided by reducing levels of ambiguity and assumption. With any method of communication, if it is ambiguous it could be interpreted differently from what is intended. This can result in the recipient taking offence, or the wrong action being taken and mistakes being made.

Communication skills, such as getting your message across clearly, summarising, and requesting specific details in a non-intrusive way can be excellent relationship building blocks and conflict avoidance tools.

Communication skills training can give people different skills and techniques for handling conflict in an organisation when it occurs. Simple practical questions can be posed to individuals that will assist in focusing on the facts, rather than emotionally charged opinions, and halting conflict at the earliest stages. By mapping the conflict, those involved can see how different people perceive the conflict situation, recognise the positive intention behind the behaviour and identify root causes,

Communication skills training can also help managers to plan and implement a roadmap to resolution, manage the emotions of those involved and handle those who are not willing to resolve.

Not realising the potential impact unresolved conflict can have on resources, both human and financial, is one of the most commonplace oversights in business. By learning fundamental communication skills through training and coaching and then applying them, organisations can reduce the level of conflict, achieve higher productivity and ultimately a noticeable difference to the bottom line.