Why bother with conflict?
People often say when I meet them and share my business that they avoid conflict. I’d go so far as to say the large majority of people do not want to confront conflict and would say they feel better just leaving it be. I’d argue that these people don’t actually feel better; ignoring conflict doesn’t mean it goes away. They just ‘feel better’ that they aren’t causing more issues but confronting conflict. This is a problem.
Conflict competency is a critical skill for leadership and successful management, but it’s also important for the overall profit and productivity of a company.
How costly is conflict?
Conflict at work affects productivity, morale, creativity, communication, and can eliminate any respect for one another. These can lead to violence in the workplace or serious mental health concerns. Lack of productivity, communication, and productivity can also lead to a significant loss of profit. As we all know, most businesses exist to make money so why not help your employees be more productive and more engaged?
According to this article, the hours spent on conflict could cost a company over $350 BILLION dollars a year. That is a staggering figure!
How can conflict management become everyday practice?
Developing awareness of your self, those around you, and the culture of your workplace will go a long way in learning to embrace conflict. Awareness is the first step and the next step is to equip yourself with the appropriate tools to confront and managing conflict. Conflict doesn’t have to be scary and it also doesn’t have to be detrimental to an organization.
What tools do you need?
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and get a customized plan for your workplace!