Conflict Resolution in the work remote era
In today’s workplace, markets are extremely competitive, therefore; employees must maintain a clear vision on achieving goals, be inspired to bring innovation to the business, and strive to bring the business to achieve market growth.
A note from our founder: “Creating a culture that embraces conflict for team members at all levels of the organization and encouraging shared perspectives and opinions can be a huge step towards overcoming conflict related issues. Everyone’s ideas and perspective have the chance of adding value if they are heard out and well thought through. By not shying away from conflict and accepting it as inevitable, an open line of communication enables a direct path to solutions. The key is to focus on the end result! What we’re all looking to accomplish and getting ego out of the way.” Jeff
When employees feel their opinions are heard and valued, they are more likely to be engaged at work and feel as thought their voice matters to the employer.
Top hedge fund manager Ray Dalio of Bridgewater Associates recommends even going one step further and using “radical transparency.” He notes a few key steps to tackling conflict to build stronger relationships in his strategies for radical transparency in an organization:
Find mutual agreement individually.
To make a big culture shift that helps others develop their own identity within the organization. Dalio says his two key questions to this are, “Should I tell you what I really think?” And, “Can you be free to tell me what you really think?” Once everyone is in agreement on this, you can begin to share honestly with each other.
No more “closed door” conversations.
You must make a conscious effort to reduce the secrets and having closed-door conversations.
Continuous growth requires deeper conversations and when I see leaders embrace radical transparency it can unleash new energy into the culture.
Meditation tactics and strategies
When running a small business where a HR department is not accessible here are some tactics and strategies to follow when trying to mediate a situation:
- Get an early start and do not let the issue get worse and cause more stress.
- Make sure the problem is completely resolved before walking away from the mediation session.
- Influence employees to see and understand each other’s point of view.
- Prevent criticism in the mediation session.
- Resolve the conflict and make plans in the future to help prevent the issue from coming up again.
- When resolving the issue make sure that it is done in private.
- Ask detailed questions.
- Be aware of emotions.
