Conflicts can be costly in time, energy, and productivity. You may not be able to eliminate them, but you can create better workplace communication patterns that intervene sooner. The key is spotting conflicts in their initial stages of workplace tension. For example, a coworker on your team routinely comes to work late, causing others to pick up the slack. Often, employees cope and adapt, and tolerate such behaviors. But resentments build, and eventually a crisis erupts. Think about ways you…