Malicious gossip is the scourge of most organizations. It is usually how most individuals in organizations deal with their minor conflicts. Also referred to as backbiting, badmouthing, venting or backstabbing, it can only exist if we do it in secret. It's our hidden conflict resolution and so ubiquitous that we don't even seem to notice... Continue Reading →
Resolving Conflict Behavior in Teams
"Conflict is an escalation of a disagreement, which is its common prerequisite, and is characterized by the existence of conflict behavior, in which the beings (team members) are actively trying to damage one another."[Prof Michael Nicholson - Wikipedia] Therefore, if you felt I was 'actively trying to damage you', there is a good chance of... Continue Reading →
Venting or Gossiping
When people gossip, they will never want the person or organization they are talking about want to hear what they have to say.
Account Able – The Ability to be Accountable for One’s Actions
Being accountable for our actions sounds simple, but try extracting an acceptable apology from someone, and you will soon find out that this ability is as rare as hen's teeth. My brother Steve and I tried this experiment some 20 years ago. We agreed that if either of us got angry, we would give the... Continue Reading →
Protection Rackets
The term "psychological safety" is believed to have been first employed and explored by organisational researchers Edgar Schein and Warren Bennis in 1965,[4] defining it as "an atmosphere where one can take chances (which experimentalism implies) without fear and with sufficient protection." (Schein and Bennis, 1965, p. 44)"
Tackling Our Fear & Avoidance of Conflict, Head-on!
When one thinks about it most of our behavior is based around fear of conflict and how we can avoid it.So we have created and listened to stories that tell us: Don't be a snitchGo with the flowYou are too sensitiveDon't make wavesLet sleeping dogs lieDon't rock the boat Don't upset the applecartSticks and stones....Suck... Continue Reading →
Unfair Pushback
So many people seem to be talking about psychological safety in organizational psychology circles lately. The idea has been around for the last 50 years. It can be defined as a shared belief that the team is safe for interpersonal risk-taking. That is, to construct an environment where it is safe to speak up without fear... Continue Reading →
Object123 