Few things in life are certain.
An old adage narrows down the list to two items: death and taxes. But I’d argue that as journey-minded leaders we could also add conflict to that list. Put two or more smart people in a room for an extended period of time and different points of view are bound to arise. Two leaders can set their sights on the same destination but design entirely different routes to get there..
Conflict can be a healthy part of a high-performing workplace if it leads to constructive debate and better outcomes for the team, but unresolved conflict can be a distraction and erode trust between team members. Letting it fester can be toxic to your workplace.
One study revealed that 81% of HR professionals have cited ongoing conflict as the main reason for an employee’s resignation, and 77% say it’s a common source of employee absenteeism.
These consequences can be costly to your business, and they illustrate why it’s so important to monitor and quell workplace conflict as soon as it arises. In doing so, you actually turn a bad situation into a great learning experience that will undoubtedly help your company down the road.
Good things come from conflict resolution: new thinking, new points of view, and a deeper understanding of others. It opens the door for positive adjustments and endless new possibilities.
First, let’s clear up a common misconception: Having conflict on your team doesn’t mean you’re a bad leader. Conflict is just part of a leader’s journey, and you have to accept that, not run from it.
Conflict is a regular part of workplace life, and your role as a leader is to swiftly deal with it, minimize its negative impact, and learn from it.
Conflict management skills come naturally to some people, but for others, the task can be quite daunting. It all stems from your level of emotional intelligence: Are you empathetic? Are you a good listener? Can you build trust? These are the key qualities of conflict management.
Get to the heart of the issue as quickly as possible. Unresolved conflict will escalate and cause additional problems as it grows.
Speak directly to those involved, listen well, and pose clarifying questions to ensure you fully understand what’s going on.
Don’t allow others to get drawn into the negativity. Advise only those who are directly involved.
Be sure every issue is on the table. Conflicts often have multiple layers, and their root cause could easily go unspoken.
Some peoples’ flight instincts kick in when things escalate. Don’t let this happen to you or your employees. Keep everyone engaged all the way through to the resolution.
Focus primarily on what the involved parties have in common. This will lead to mutually beneficial resolutions.
Communicate what you expect going forward, and hold others accountable for these changes.
Periodically assess the success of your solutions. Make adjustments as needed to ensure continued progress.
The idea of confronting and quelling conflict is an uncomfortable part of leadership, but ignoring it or delaying its resolution will only make things worse. Rarely do these things work themselves out, and whatever solution you reach will undoubtedly improve your workplace and bottom line.
Like it or not, conflict resolution comes with your leadership role. Monitoring and addressing conflict as it arises will ensure a happy, present, and productive workforce for your company.
The entrepreneur's journey can pose many challenges, with unknown turns springing up on you in a moments notice. Over her 20 year career as an executive and 3 time founder, Elise Mitchell has seen her fair share of adversity. Through her keynote speaking, executive coaching, and leadership development she shares practical strategies to grow and find balance as a leader throughout the entire entereprenuer journey.
Copyright (c) 2023 Velocity Collective, LLC. All rights reserved.
