Trainee Manager Question:

It would be entirely appropriate with this question to ask for further details. For example, are you in a management position and seeking to defuse the conflict or are you a member of a team in which there is conflict? Is the nature of the conflict a professional disagreement or something more personal? Once you have sufficient details, you can adjust your response. Remember that it can help to limit conflict if everyone feels that their opinion has been listened to. After you have allowed their voices to be heard, you can think through your next steps, depending on the circumstances: for example, do you need to acknowledge that both sides have valid points and adjust your position accordingly or do you need to use your authority as line manager to underline that certain behaviour is unacceptable?