How do you handle conflict in the workplace? Most of us do not deal with it very effectively - if we even deal with it at all.

Maintaining relationships is key to resolving conflict, so if a situation is thought to be unfixable, the best advice given by experts is to figure out a way to 'remix' the situation so the two parties look at the situation differently.

Here are a few tips for consideration.

• Think before acting. - use common sense and common courtesy - if someone in the office is bothering you, you may be bothering them.

• Listen to others - listen attentively and hear what your co-workers are saying, not what you expect them to say.

• Listen to yourself - Figure out your tone, attitude and how well you communicate.

• Be positively disarming - maintain a positive attitude; for example, find a trait or a skill that you admire in the other person, and focus on that.

• Focus on the task, not the person - no matter what the situation is, you still have to focus on the project or activity and not the person.

• If you can’t say something nice, avoid gossip - a spin on the old adage - if you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all...