Like sweeping your debris under the rug, conflict avoidance only makes matters worse. We realize this, Yet we still choose avoidance.
When you choose to avoid conflict, whose interests are being served? The most likely answer is we choose to serve our own desire to avoid an uncomfortable situation. Nothing more. Avoidance is choosing to do nothing. So who really wins by choosing avoidance?
It helps to be aware that one of the strongest human needs is the need to be right. So when conflicting viewpoints inevitably occur, emotions can run hot. How willing are you to let go of this need for the sake of a successful outcome?
To accellerate your development and get better at this, I recommend the timeless wisdom of The 7 Habits.
The 7 Habits of Highly Successful People is a professional development classic. Habit #5 is an ideal way to develop a mindset for navigating conflict. As you work toward understanding what others are both thinking and feeling, you enhance your ability to both connect with them and to minimize their resistance to, in turn understand your position.
The book also provides other helpful habits for effectively navigating and resolving conflict. Resolution:
Negative Judgements are an ever-present obstacle to conflict resolution. As previously discussed in “How Judgemental are You?“, awareness of the three ways we judge helps you be more open-minded. We judge:
Part of developing your awareness when navigating conflict is noticing your negative judgment of others and their ideas. And understanding that negativity will only add fuel to the fire of the conflict. And will shut down collaboration and innovation.
Unhealthy Conflict pits you against another person with a different viewpoint. The challenge takes a back seat to personal confrontation
You enlist a collaborator to address the challenge or poblem together with awareness and empathy toward each other and the ideas and suggestions that ensue.
In your pursuit of healthy conflict, I offer some familiar guiding words.
– Ken Blanchard
And from that insight, I offer this rule to follow:
Agree to Disagree or Agree to Collaborate. This is an opportunity to apply the aforementioned Habit #2: “Begin with the end in mind”
Your “end” is something that all should agree with. The…
Once you and your team have honed your ability to navigate conflict and avoid the trap of personal judgment, consider this approach to leading innovative thinking and collaborative problem-solving.
Since avoiding conflict is counterproductive, why not strategically embrace it?
Disclosure – Transparency Statement about the book recomendation
As Amazon Associates members, we receive a commission on sales made through this page on Amazon products. Our relationship with Amazon has no influence on the recommendations on this page.
The phrase: “Resistance is Futile” is borrowed from Star Trek. Once a person was assimilated by The Borg, there was little hope for escape. This 51 second video illustrates the futility of assimilation.
In Star Trek, The Borg are an alien group that appear as recurring antagonists in the Star Trek fictional universe. The Borg are cybernetic organisms linked in a hive mind called “The Collective.” – Wikipedia
We’ve all heard that…
As true as this can be. Different people have different tolerances for different spices. Hence a need for empathy and awareness for the needs of others’ potential challenges with leaving their comfort zone.
Tom Lemanski helps accomplished leaders unlock potential, solve complex challenges, and amplify their impact.
Effective leadership is the key to driving meaningful, lasting success in a fast-changing world.
Tom’s focus on innovative strategies and self-awareness creates transformative results for leaders striving for the next level.
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