Becoming a Better Boss Secret 5: Conflict!
We do not like conflict. It is known to be uncomfortable and ugly – a disturbance in “the force.” The truth is, productive conflict is required for an organization to grow. Teams that engage in healthy conflict are more likely to use ideas of all team members and have dynamic meetings. They solve problems quickly and openly discuss critical topics. Team members who share conflict may use that energy to create a surprising solution to a problem. Conflict isn’t all bad, still we must find ways to manage conflict before it becomes destructive.
The first step in using conflict wisely, is to understand its value and adjust your thinking. To get in the right frame of mind, let’s think about the concept of debate. A debate is a structured argument. Two sides take turns speaking for and against a particular issue. Each person or team is given an equal amount of time to state their case. Debate is something we have used for hundreds of years to formally discuss disagreements. Our schools have debate clubs and team competitions. Students of debate have a chance to prove a point and have their reasoning tested. Our society does in fact value differences of opinion.
So why is it that in some settings debate is celebrated and encouraged, and in office settings it is often considered conflict? And what is the best way for a boss to ensure conflict continues to be healthy and productive?
BETWEEN EMPLOYEES
Frequently and openly discuss how problems should be solved by employees.
- Teach employees how to healthfully debate.
- Encourage people to openly discuss issues.
- Give opportunities for employees to learn their personal style in conflict situations.
- Reach agreement on when people in conflict should ask for intervention.
THE TEAM
As the boss, you will need to give your team permission to openly debate issues during meetings.
- Establish trust on your work team by meeting regularly.
- Help employees get to know each other.
- Teach your team the difference between healthy debate and destructive conflict.
- Do not shy away from healthy debate in team meetings. Allow people to disagree.
- Be a good facilitator. Watch for the point where debate is turning away from productive. Immediately stop, summarize progress, and move on.
If conflict in your organization is blocking productivity, causing hard feelings, and destroying your ability to work at peak performance, you might consider getting help through such resources as Everything DiSC Productive Conflict®.