Get over your fear of conflict!
Does the thought of how to have a difficult conversation at work fill you with dread? Will you do anything to avoid your fear of conflict in the workplace?
If the answer to these questions is yes then leadership consultant Amy Jen Su has some sage words of advice for you over on HBR. Here are the four key tips I took away from her blog to help you get over your fear of conflict:
1. Focus on the business need
Fear of conflict is really about you, not the business. So stay focused on the business and say what you need to.
2. Speak objectively and make requests
Talk about what you’ve observed, don’t label behaviour or traits. Then request the changes you want to see.
3. Keep a calm demeanour
Conflict doesn’t have to be aggressive, it can and should be calm and respectful.
4. Take baby steps
If you are a habitual conflict avoider, don’t jump into complex, thorny issues right away. Choose easier situations to deal with first and develop your conflict resolution skills.
If you or your team need help managing conflict or how to have uncomfortable conversations at work, get in touch to find out about our various workshops and challenging conversations training. We can deliver training to your team as either a a two-hour introduction or a four-hour deep dive. You can choose between in-person, virtual or hybrid delivery modes. We also offer open online courses for individuals to join.
You can find out more about our training for difficult conversations by clicking here.
