The 5 C's of conflict management are Communication, Cooling Off and Calming Down, Collaboration, Coaching and Counseling, and Corporate Culture. Communication Poor communication or miscommunication is at the root of most conflicts. Through one-on-one conversations, find out as much as possible about the conflict. Open and constructive communication can turn a potential crisis into a productive discussion. Cooling Off and Calming Down Encourage the parties to use neutral language and address the problem instead of the person. Collaboration After hearing each party’s viewpoint, the next step is to have the individuals identify how to resolve the conflict to everyone’s satisfaction – including firm management. Coaching and Counseling Conflict management workshops can be developed internally or implemented by a third-party association or consulting firm. Creating a culture of trust is crucial for law firm management and HR, which is part of Corporate Culture.