Sometimes workplace conflict isn’t just between two people. Tension can spread, especially in small teams where people work closely, or where communication has broken down over time. It might start between a few people but can quickly affect the whole team and their ability to work well together.
From an HR and managers’ perspective, these situations can be hard to manage. Conflict doesn’t just affect morale, it can lead to poor communication, burnout, time off, or even staff leaving. That’s why it’s important to act early.
Here are three steps you can take when conflict is affecting more than two people:
1. Mediate between the key people first
Before doing anything wider, it’s a good idea to offer mediation to the people at the centre of the issue. Often, team tensions are rooted in a few broken relationships – addressing these early can prevent things escalating.
Contrary to what many people think, mediation isn’t just for two people. Multi-party mediation is common and can include several participants. It’s a structured, confidential process where people in conflict talk things through in a safe, supported space. Everyone gets a chance to clear the air, listen, be heard, and get to the root of what’s really going on.
Mediation can be incredibly effective – in fact, all of the workplace mediation cases we’ve supported over the last three years have achieved a full or partial resolution. With WMS, you’ll have access to some of the UK’s most experienced mediators, at charitable rates. Our multi-party mediations usually cost £150 per party per hour, and 5 hours is usually enough to give everyone space to speak.
Once things have settled, you can think about support for the wider team.
2. Create space for the whole team to talk
Team conflict can leave people feeling unheard or isolated. A facilitated conversation is a great way to bring the team together and agree a way forward. It’s a round-table session for up to 12 people, led by two trained facilitators. Everyone is given space to speak openly and listen to one another in a safe, structured way.
It usually lasts 2-3 hours and focuses on rebuilding connection and understanding. While it won’t resolve every issue, it helps surface key concerns and establish common ground. We often speak to attendees individually beforehand to ensure the session is as productive as possible.
3. Provide practical training to rebuild understanding
Sometimes a team needs space to reflect, reconnect, and learn tools to manage future tension more effectively. At WMS, we offer tailored training nationwide, including to charities and faith-based organisations, where strong relationships are especially important. Some of the options we offer:
De-escalation training.
Designed for staff and volunteers who regularly deal with challenging behaviour – whether from service users, the public, or colleagues.
This session looks at what’s going on beneath the surface of conflict, and equips participants with practical tools to stay calm and keep conversations constructive. It’s a 3-hour session for up to 18 people (online or in person), and includes:
- Building instant rapport with clients
- Recognising early signs of conflict
- Using tone and body language to calm situations
- Responding when someone becomes challenging
- Knowing when and how to step away or ask for help.
Connect training: working well with others
Ideal for teams that want to strengthen their relationships and handle disagreements better.
- What conflict means and how it shows up
- Balancing your needs vs others’ needs
- How do you respond to conflict? (with movement-based activity)
- Does that change when you understand others’ approaches?
- How to adapt your approach, based on context.
Want to talk it through? We’re always happy to chat about what might work best for your team. Get in touch and we’ll help you figure out the right support.
