Conflict: 5 Things You Need to Know
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Conflict sucks. And yet, along with Communication and Collaboration, these 3 C’s can be the rocket fuel for your team and career … or the kiss of death.
But before I jump in, thanks for your feedback re: the NEW newsletter format. Here’s a sample of what I heard:
Eric said, “I feel like I’m getting scattershot bullet points…”
Don said, “This format is fantastic.”
Aaron said, “If folks wanted to dig a bit deeper … maybe add a link…”
Erika said she’d love a “way to comment on the newsletter/topic.”
Hope you all like the adjustments I’ve made this week based on your feedback & input. Now, let’s get to it!
5 Things You Need to Know About Conflict
1. While leadership gurus encourage conflict to make teams more productive, research shows that all conflict isn’t created equal. There’s a difference between task conflict and relationship conflict. In a team setting, keep it to the task-level stuff.
2. A strong conflict tool for leaders to use in a team setting is called, 6 Thinking Hats. It provides an easy way to facilitate conflict and gets us out of the ugly “point-counterpoint” approach. Here’s a video of me describing how it works.
3. When you have conflict with your boss or someone senior to you, it’s often uncomfortable. Remember, your boss has agency of their own feelings and responses. It’s most important you express your disagreement in objective terms. I wrote a blog on how to do this.
4. Conflict isn’t about going to battle. It’s about truth seeking and problem solving. If we reframe it as such, it changes how we behave.
5. Do you avoid conflict? If so, ask yourself why. Is it simply because you lack the tools to manage it productively?
If you want to vent, share tools, ask questions, or make comments, let’s get the conversation started below in the comments section!
Your coach,
Chris
P.S. ♻ Sharing is caring. Please consider forwarding this to a colleague or friend, if you found it useful. Your kindness could improve someone else’s world of work!
