14 Conflict resolution and crisis management

 

This chapter covers

  • Handling workplace conflicts and how AI can help resolve them
  • Managing IT project crises, including how to lead and make decisions
  • Setting up tech solutions for disaster recovery and keeping operations running

AI can help IT professionals handle workplace conflicts, manage project crises, and set up systems for disaster recovery. This matters because technical work often involves disagreements that need quick solutions.

When it comes to handling disputes, including technical ones, AI helps by giving neutral, fact-based suggestions. This keeps the focus on fixing problems rather than getting stuck in arguments. Even if you’re not trained in difficult conversations, AI tools can guide you toward better outcomes.

We love this chapter because it shows how AI can make work life better. When we think about what makes jobs difficult, avoiding conflicts causes more problems than technical mistakes. People often dodge conflicts to keep things peaceful, but this usually backfires—creating more tension and bigger problems down the line.

Dealing with problems right away tends to create a better workplace where people are happier. Take Chrissy’s experience: she was asked to quickly write replication code for “temporary” use. Knowing that temporary solutions often become permanent, she pushed back and asked for time to build something proper.

14.1 Addressing workplace conflicts

14.1.1 Strategies for effective conflict resolution

14.1.2 SharePoint standoff

14.1.3 Proactive conflict-resolution agreement

14.2 Crisis management

14.2.1 Role of leadership in crisis situations

14.2.2 Generative AI’s role in disaster recovery and COOP

14.3 Prompts used to write this chapter

Summary