Handling Player Conflicts in a Role-Playing Session: Any Tips?

[KlingonWarrior87]

I've been running a long-term Pathfinder campaign, and while my players are generally great, there have been a few disagreements lately over character actions and decisions. Things got a little heated during a recent session when two players had conflicting goals for their characters, which led to some tension at the table. How do you handle conflicts like these to keep the game enjoyable for everyone? Any techniques for mediating disputes or encouraging collaboration without stifling their character freedom? Qapla'!

 

[WIZARDo]

This reminds me of a session in my D&D 5e campaign where two players had clashing motivations, one was hell-bent on taking down a corrupt noble while the other wanted to protect him for personal reasons. Instead of letting it escalate, I framed it as a dilemma where both characters had to confront each other and negotiate their goals, which actually deepened their bond and added drama to the story. Have you tried introducing a third-party element that forces them to collaborate?