Browse Author: Kerrie

How do you cope with conflict in the workplace?

Conflict can make many people feel very uncomfortable. It’s easy to become emotionally invested in the outcome of a conflict and feel personally attacked. For some, conflict in the workplace is an immediate incentive to start looking for another job.

As a leader and manager you can’t avoid conflict. It comes with the territory! And you can’t afford to ignore it or you may lose some of your best people as well as the resources you need to do your job. Nor can you afford to get so involved in the conflict that you become a part of it.

So how do you cope with conflict in the workplace?

In fact your role is to manage through conflict, however uncomfortable it may make you feel.

This means it is critical that you understand your own response to conflict and develop the skills that will allow you to cope effectively with conflict in organisations.

Once you can do that, not only will you cope well with conflict you will even begin to see the positive role conflict can have in an organisation in terms of fairly establishig priorities and access to limited resources.

You’ll find more details on the three essentials for coping with conflict in the Member’s area of the Leadership Coaching Club, so if you are a member, you can login now for more help to develop these critical leadership skills.

Of course if you are not a member of the Leadership Coaching Club yet, you really should consider joining immediately. There is so much practical and helpful information in there that you get instant access to, the minute you join. Not only that but more is being added constantly.

In addition to The Three Essentials For Coping With Conflict, here are just some of the items you will find inside:

How To Say ‘No’ To Your Boss
How To Handle People Who Disagree With You
How To Reduce Meetings That Waste Your Time
10 Ways To Start Taking Control Of Your Time, Your Life And Your Work…
The Easiest Way To Give An Impromptu Speech
Customer Service Training In 3 Quick Steps
Three Quick Stress Busters
What Your Employees Expect Of You
Motivating Staff Explained
How To Turn Problems To Profits
… and much, much more, including all the Core Training Modules, Special Bonuses, Free Resources …

Check it out today at http://leadershipcoachingclub.com

Kind regards

Kerrie

PS. That link again for the Leadership Coaching Club and all the help you need to mentor, manage and lead is http://leadershipcoachingclub.com

PPS.  Share how you cope with conflict in the workplace by adding a comment below.

The Workplace Motivation Message is Simple

Recently I attended a function where I observed two mothers trying to control their exuberant young children with totally different results.

The first mother was clearly exasperated by the unruly behavior of her young children. For the entire hour she told them: “Don’t be so naughty.” “Don’t run away.” “Don’t kick the door!” “Don’t hit your sister.” “Don’t make so much noise.” And all of her instructions resulted in more and more of each behavior she chastised them about.

She was struggling, and the children were clearly not used to being at an event where they needed to sit quietly and pay attention. They didn’t know what to do or how to do it, so they entertained themselves. And they did it very well, even if it embarrassed their mother.

There were times when the second mother needed to address her young children’s behavior too. But she did it differently and with a very different result.

She drew her children’s attention to the program and pointed to what was happening on stage. She quietly explained where to look, why things were happening and encouraged them to participate when it was appropriate. She showed them how to not just listen, but to watch and listen carefully, so they would hear particular things.

In other words, she focused on telling her children what they should do, rather than what not to do. And it was clear that as her children steadily began to learn what was going on and how to be a part of it, they even began to enjoy it.

Now I’m not suggesting that her children were perfect – there were times they were distracted too – but by the end of the function it was clear they learned a lot about how to participate in such an event. They had been shown what was expected of them and what to do, rather than just being told what not to do.

So, what does this story have to do with workplace motivation, you ask?

Well first let me share another quick story with you… A few days ago a friend commented that her husband had come home from work happier than she had seen him in ages. It turns out that something exceptional had happened. For the first time in many years his boss had commented on his work, and the feedback was what a great job he always does. (And yes, you read that right – for the first time in many years…)

Do you see a pattern related to motivation in the workplace here? Managing people (employees or young children) can be challenging, time consuming and, at times, stressful. When you don’t offer any feedback, even the best people feel demotivated and taken for granted. If the feedback you offer is always negative or corrective, without any guidance about how to do what is required, it will do little to motivate people or improve results.

It’s easy to expect good work from people and take it for granted when you get it. But when good work is not acknowledged in the workplace, motivation shrivels up and even your best workers begin to produce the minimum acceptable results rather than their best work.

The workplace motivation message is simple: Focus on showing people what you expect of them in a positive way and notice when they do what you want.

For more ways to improve employee performance and boost workplace motivation check out this powerful tool: http://leadershipskillcenter.com/workplace-motivation/ from Kerrie Mullins-Gunst.

Kerrie specializes in helping leaders and managers develop all the skills they need to mentor manage and lead.