Condowise Learning - Tips and Tricks

How to Manage Conflict Effectively

1. As prevention and early resolution are the most effective ways to resolve an issue and prevent same from escalating, it is important to be proactive and timely.

2. Focus on the interests of the parties, rather than their respective positions.

3. Focus on objective criteria.

4. Do not take a side unless you have conclusive objective evidence.

5. Be mindful of the type of communication and language, including body language, that you use when dealing with a conflict and how same may be perceived by others involved.

6. Focus on the conflict at hand, rather than issues and conflicts that have arisen in the past.

7. Actively listen to others without interruptions.

8. Define and maintain confidentiality parameters.

9. Recognize when help is needed and enlist the assistance of a third parties, such as a lawyer or mediator. Doing so at the onset of a conflict can go a long way in terms of improving the communication between the parties and preventing the conflict from escalating unnecessarily.

10. Remember the importance of the relationship and view the conflict as an opportunity for positive change.

Ashley Winberg is a condominium and corporate lawyer at Elia Associates, which is a province wide firm specializing in condominium law. Ashley assists a diverse array of clients throughout Ontario on all matters relating to condominium governance and management. Ashley’s practice is largely focused on complex post-turnover issues related to shared facilities, human rights, employment, construction and development, and municipal planning and compliance. Ashley can be reached via email at awinberg@elia.org.