Coaching Managers to Deal with Conflict

Coaching is one powerful strategy that organizations can use to help managers work out how they can handle the people perceived to be difficult especially in change programs where we cannot disregard their emotional responses. In this context, senior managers will be coached to deal with conflict situations, rather than avoid them. The coaching that individuals receive can greatly strengthen their relationship with the organization and overcome barriers to issues such as change. The focus of the coaching involves changing their mindsets to accept that commitments come when people understand a change, integrate its meaning into the things they do everyday, and willingly take responsibility for the new activities required.

Here is a coaching model that can help managers deal with workplace conflicts better:
(A) Start with the attitude that everyone is entitled to their views and opinions
(B) Learn how to encourage people to articulate for themselves on their issues, through discussions, to help them:

• to express themselves articulately, thereby increasing their self confidence
• to take responsibility for their words
• to see how they may be creating unhelpful impressions of themselves
• reduce the amount of indiscriminate blaming of others

(C) Reconstruct their relationship with employees through regular meetings that are focused on performance and the resolution of practical issues.

Great leadership is about the ability to handle day-to-day issues. Recognize them when they occur; have positive attitude about them, have the courage to act on them, and use the skills to resolve them; thereby, building commitment in people who will collectively support the change process.