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6 Tips To Turn Workplace Conflict Into A Strategic Asset!

Guest post by: Meridith Elliott Powell

Article Overview: So often we see conflict as uncomfortable and do what we can to avoid it at all costs. When conflict can actually be just what we need to move our company forward. Healthy conflict ensures we see our blind spots, discover new solutions, execute more effectively and experience more financial success.

6 Tips To Turn Workplace Conflict Into A Strategic Asset!

Last week I was working with client and his team putting the final touches on their 2011 strategic plan. As we were finishing up, my client asked if I could come in and do some work with his team on conflict resolution, as he felt they needed a lot of improvement in the areas of communication and working together. When I asked him what the major issues were, he said they have so many different personality styles that it can be a struggle at times.

Sure enough after doing some personality testing of his entire team, and graphing the team's style chart, we discovered he was right. We had a team of 12 executive leaders who have very different approaches to accomplishing tasks, communicating and achieving goals. This was a strong team with a broad range of talents, skills, experience and backgrounds. But rather than see that as a negative, I suggested we view this as an asset, and congratulated him on his brilliant approach to hiring and recruiting top talent. With a little work, a little different set of expectations, we could turn his workplace conflict into his strategic asset.

So often we see conflict as uncomfortable and do what we can to avoid it at all costs. When conflict can actually be just what we need to move our company forward. Healthy conflict ensures we see our blind spots, discover new solutions, execute more effectively and experience more financial success.

Some of the strongest relationships we have in life are at work. We certainly spend more time with many of these people than we do with our own families, so just like with any relationship conflict is natural. It is only when we avoid conflict that it becomes a negative. If we want to make workplace conflict a strategic asset we must create a culture where we embrace it and encourage it. There is real value in diverse opinions, ideas and little healthy argument.

How do you create positive workplace conflict?

1. Give your team the tools and information they need to be self aware, to understand their strengths and weaknesses and their communication style (personality tests such as DISC, Myers Briggs, or more involved testing)

2. Encourage them to learn and understand the communication styles of their team members, their clients and their peers. Hold them accountable to adjust their styles to better communicate with others

3. Set ground rules for healthy communication

4. As the leader, encourage differences of opinion and make time for needed discussion

5. Acknowledge to everyone the unique value that each member brings to the team. Set an expectation for conflict by letting your team know with the diversity of talents, experience and opinions you are counting on respectful conflict and look forward to the debate

6. Always make people feel valued for sharing their opinion

What is the return on investment of workplace conflict?

1. Innovation - with open communication from a diverse group of leaders you have more access to more innovative and creative ideas to solve challenges and discover solutions

2. Financial Success - in a culture where conflict is encouraged, team members feel more open to discuss potential problems or concerns before projects are implemented or before they become too costly to fix

3. Talent Development - cultures where opinions are valued attract and retain a higher rate of quality leaders

4. Execution - people support what they help create - and cultures that embrace open discussion from everyone involved gain greater support and buy-in during execution

Conflict is natural and when it is something we embrace rather than avoid, we can easily turn it from something that drains our culture to something that enhances it. We can turn workplace conflict into our strategic asset.

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Article Tags: new solutions, workplace conflict



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