Struggles with conflict
Is your executive team struggling to get on the same page? Always a new conflict? Is there such a thing as healthy conflict?
Internal conflicts can waste time, create unhappy employees, and harm productivity. Conflict resolution, when done right, will have a positive effect on both the leaders and employees.
Believe it or not, some people thrive on conflict, while others completely shy away from it. Other people see conflict as necessary and employ it as a tactic to get what they want, while others still do everything they can to avoid it.
Differences in style
Certain behavioral styles react differently to conflict. For example, if you are a more dominant personality, when conflict arises, you may tend to demand action.
If you are a more interactive personality, you tend to attack when confronted with conflict.
If your personality leans more to being supportive of others, you tend to be more accommodating when conflict arises.
And finally, if your personality leans toward a more conscientious style, you tend to analyze more when there is conflict.
Is one style better than the other? No; different styles are what they are.
Path to resolving unnecessary conflict
The important thing about conflict resolution is to understand the person or persons with whom you are having conflict.
Let me repeat that. Conflict is not bad, and no behavior is better than another. To resolve the conflict, it is important to not only understand your behavior, but to understand the other person’s behavior.
How do you understand the behavior of others?
The first step to understanding the behavior of yourself and others is to identify primary and secondary behaviors. To do this, I use an assessment that specifically suits the situation.
We then debrief on the assessment and create a plan of action to address ways to deal with conflict.
From an executive team perspective, we would assess each individual and work together as a group to understand the behaviors of everyone in the group.
Executives teams are not the only teams that can benefit from individual assessments and group sessions. Middle management to individual departments also can learn the tools, techniques, and strategies.
Effective workplace tips to deal with conflicts
Handling conflict is always a challenge, but there are some tips that can help. Focus on the conflict, not the person or persons. Be open and honest, while recognizing and embracing conflict.
Emphasize the positives and set goals upon which agreement can be obtained.
And my favorite: Interact with awareness!
Understanding behavioral styles helps you become a better communicator, minimize or prevent conflicts, appreciate the differences in others, and positively influence those around you.
Learning tools and techniques to resolve conflict
I have found that counseling one-on-one with executives and other individuals in the organization has a tremendous impact on behavioral modification.
Working together, we can address the conflicts you have within your executive management team or throughout the organization.
Having a Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology and 20+ years experience in corporate America gives me the knowledge and experience to help others.
Through counseling in conflict resolution, you will receive the tools and learn the techniques needed to resolve conflicts and get your leadership team together on the same page.
Work effectively with others
Let me help you with personal awareness, which will help you work with others in a more effective manner.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, I would be happy to talk with you for a free 15-minute consultation to discuss your needs.
You can reach me by phone at (856) 506-5159, email at eileenjason@artaconsulting.com, or simply fill out the contact form below.