We all seem to have a primal fear of conflict and the behavior that leads to it. Applying this definition to workplace teams, one way to tackle this fear of conflict behavior and allow us to feel sufficiently protected (safe) when we disagree would be to use the following
Fighting Hidden Conflict Resolution
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 →
Psychological Conflict or Safety
Most conflict is psychological. A snide remark, sarcastic quip, an insulting name, gossiping or stonewalling. Much less rarely does such conflict escalate to become physical. But imagine if we were protected from such psychological conflict or agreed to use a simple neutral procedure to resolve this conflict behavior when it invariably happens to us? I... Continue Reading →
Conflict Resolution or Secret Men’s Business
Generally speaking, conflict resolution is carried out by management and or HR behind closed doors. It is not a democratic process. Let's call it secret men's business. Is it any wonder that there are countless unresolved complaints from disgruntled employees in organizations? The democratic process was first developed over 2500 years ago in Ancient Athens,... 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 →
Psychological Safety an Impossible Construct
Sorry, but I have to speak up and say that the #psychologicalsafety that professor Edmondson is describing seems to me to be an impossible social construct. E.g., “Psychological safety, which is the ability to speak up without the risk of punishment or humiliation.” In my view, there is and will always be this risk 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.
Further Steps in Transparency
Another point for exposing our unresolved conflict is that it acts as a great incentive to ensure we all use our new and radical toolkit available to resolve our spats before they become our exposed conflicts.
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)"
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