15 Ways to Make Conflict Worse at Work

I work with many leaders in a variety of workplaces and a common theme that comes up is how to reduce conflict at work or keep it from escalating. People know intellectually that conflict saps a lot of energy, morale and productivity from their workplaces but they're not always sure how to stop doing the things that create the disturbances in the first place. Here are ten ways people exacerbate conflict in the workplace.

1. Insist on getting their way.
2. Minimize or shoot down other people's ideas.
3. Refuse to forgive and keep bringing up past hurts.
4. Constantly remind people of hierarchy.
5. Tell people to shut up and don't listen.
6. Behave insensitively or boorishly.
7. Threaten people.
8. Don't set clear and fair expectations.
9. Punish instead of educate.
10. Pretend that conflict will go away.
11. Say things like, "Boys will be boys."
12. Don't give people the tools to resolve conflict.
13. Belittle people individually or in front of others.
14. Stick to one point of view at the exclusion of others.
15. Never admit being wrong.

Do you do any of these things or condone them in your workplace? If you do it doesn't mean you're a bad boss it just points out some areas you might want to look at to improve how your workplace functions. Reducing conflict in the workplace isn't about punishing people, it's about deliberately introducing new behaviors that will lead to more positive results. What will you do to not make conflict worse in your organization?

Take care,

Guy

My Lovely Training Blog