Intrapersonal

Conflict within a person is not always easy to identify, but it can become apparent when mood swings are present or depression is evident. Intrapersonal conflict is also apparent when a person has trouble choosing between two or more goals. Most of us do not possess the skills to handle serious intrapersonal conflicts, therefore referring your afflicted employee to a trained professional is the best way to handle this problem.

Interpersonal
Conflict between two people is not always bad, particularly if the differences can be resolved. A California State University Sacramento report notes that people respond in different ways to disagreements, with personal feelings, attitudes and goals contributing to the conflict. As a small business manager, you want your employees to settle their differences without your personal intervention, but sometimes you need to step in. The California study identifies areas where employees may find resolution, including concern for themselves, concern for the other person, collaboration or compromise.

Intragroup
Departmental harmony is essential to helping maintain productivity and workplace morale. When two or more people do not get along together, that personal battle can affect everyone. Some examples of intragroup conflict may include ethnic, religious or gender prejudice, perceived or real injustices and various personality differences. Depending on how strong the conflict is, you may need outside help to resolve differences. This step can involve bringing a trusted or otherwise objective third party who has experience in conflict management to settle the dispute. As a manager you may be able to handle the problem, but you may prefer professional guidance if the problem is too big for you or past attempts to settle conflict have not been resolved.

Intergroup
Battles between your accounting and operations team or between frontline workers and online customer service agents can become a problem especially where customers are involved. One group of employees may not usually get along, but may cast differences to the side to unite against other employees. Perceived differences in status and different group goals can fuel intergroup conflict. Oftentimes, this leads to miscommunication or even no communication, affecting your organizations ability to function. You can react by avoiding the problem, through problem solving, changing certain workplace variables or by following an internal dispute resolution process. Under some circumstances, a facilitator may be needed to help discuss issues of conflict and related concerns. Allowing this problem to continue can spell the end of your business