How to Become a Conflict Manager
How to Become a Conflict Manager
A conflict manager is responsible for resolving arguments and disputes that arise in the workplace, within families. Managing conflict isn’t always easy. The role requires excellent conflict resolution skills and resilience to cope with stressful situations. This article will provide you with an informative guide of everything that you need to know about how to become a conflict manager.
What Qualifications Do You Need to Be a Conflict Manager?
In order to become a qualified conflict manager, it is advisable to have attained a bachelor’s degree in a discipline such as counselling, social work, psychology or law. It is also a good idea to have a master’s degree in conflict resolution, as this shows employers that you have specific knowledge in the principles of mediation.
As a Beginner, Where Should I Start in Conflict Management?
The first advisable step is to achieve a bachelor’s degree and then to acquire a body of work experience in an area of mediation. Work experience can be either paid or in the form of voluntary work but having experience working with different areas of conflict.
The following organisations can help you to prepare for challenging conflict issues:
Obtaining work experience from a different line of work such as in human resources, trade union or a community liaison role can help you to develop mediation skills.
Skill Set Required for a Conflict Manager
Looking to gain a job as a conflict manager? It takes a specific personality type to excel in this role. Before you get started in this career path, ensure you have the following conflict management skills:
Excellent communication skills and listening skills
The ability to demonstrate management skills
Reading body language and nonverbal cues
Effective communication —verbal and written
Good problem-solving abilities
Active listening and comprehension
The ability to resolve conflict
Good decision-making abilities
Excellent conflict resolution skills and negotiation skills
Strong leadership skills
Fair dispute resolution
High level of emotional intelligence
Collaborating with other team members
The ability to maintain excellent working relationships
What Does a Conflict Manager Do?
Conflict managers are employed across a diverse range of businesses and organisations are responsible for resolving workplace conflicts by acting as a conciliator to investigate the causes of conflict, listen to both parties’ points of view and ultimately to resolve the dispute.
Rather than taking sides, a good conflict manager works towards the most positive outcome for all parties. They may report to the project manager or team leader in this important role. Whenever there are clashes between team members, this professional will step in to help. Their sole aim is to create a healthy work environment for the entire team.
Typical Duties for a Conflict Manager
The specific responsibilities of the role involve:
Popular Career Pathways for Conflict Managers
As a conflict manager there are many opportunities to advance in your professional development, for example, by enrolling and participating in Career Professional Development opportunities such as specialist training courses, workshops and events. This will help to develop your professional knowledge and improve your specialisation in the field.
With the necessary years of experience it can be possible to progress to more challenging or senior conflict roles within legal practice, public service or commercial roles.
