It’s human nature for tensions to arise in the workplace. After all, it’s where we spend most of our time, often dealing with high-stakes situations. By using communication soft skills, we can deescalate strife and emerge as a stronger unified team.

“Professional relationships are human relationships fraught with shared misunderstandings,” writes Daisy Auger-Dominguez, Chief People Officer at VICE Media and author. “A wrongly placed, unintentional word in a stressful moment can drive a deep wedge between coworkers.” Such issues can impact performance, collaboration, and productivity.

She outlines steps to take to help reduce tension and become a more connected team:

• First, find out what’s driving the situation. Spending time on this step will help enable resolution.
• Take time to understand. To build shared understanding, it is important to hold space for others’ opinions, empathize with complex and nuanced situations, and take responsibility for nurturing a sense of safety and trust among colleagues. Auger-Dominguez notes that spending time in conversation with colleagues to understand different perspectives conveys compassion and empathy.
• Intervene at the appropriate time. Sometimes, there is a clear point in time and in other situations, the timing may be nuanced. Don’t be shy about asking for support when needed.
• Reinforce positive connections. “To proactively create more meaningful relationships, ask yourself these questions,” Auger-Dominguez offers, “How can I focus on what the person is saying, and not solely on how they say it or how they look? What else do I need to know to understand what my colleague is trying to communicate instead of dismissing or avoiding what they say? And before addressing someone’s uncomfortable comment, ask yourself: Am I responding to being shut down, ignored, or offended, or am I trying to be right? If both parties are willing, there are ways of responding that can lead to constructive conversations and shared understanding.”

For more of Auger-Dominguez's advice, read “How to Proactively Defuse Tension on Your Team.”