Conflict is a topic that often comes up when I talk with leaders. In three separate cases lately I have heard of organizations including conflict resolution in supervisor training programs.
A perennially popular topic for training at all levels of leadership development training, conflict is as often misunderstood and mishandled as it is discussed. Consider this view on the topic from Tony Dungy’s book, Uncommon.
“Conflict is best seen as an opportunity to understand our differences, since that’s when conflict usually arises; when we see something differently.”
This is a healthy view of conflict and casts it not as something to be avoided or immediately “resolved” but something to be understood.
As leaders of others, there will always be things that people see differently (in fact if you never experience in differences in perspective people aren’t likely sharing their true feelings – which, as a leader, is cause for much greater concern!)
It is our role as a leader to understand those differences ourselves (what a great opportunity to learn), and to help others communicate in a way that others will see and learn from those differences as well.
As a leader of a team, learning to help others welcome and invite conflict as a mode of learning and making better decisions and not allowing it to become damaging or attacking is an important skill.
Make sure that you are viewing conflict from this perspective and you will not only find conflicts easier to deal with, but you will allow conflict to be a helpful rather than damaging result of human interaction.
Consider these questions: How do I view conflict? What can I do to use conflict as an opportunity for learning this week?
Guest post by Kevin Eikenberry: author, speaker, trainer, consultant, and the Chief Potential Officer of The Kevin Eikenberry Group (http://KevinEikenberry.com).
Kevin's new book, co-authored with Guy Harris, From Bud to Boss – Secrets to a Successful Transition to Remarkable Leadership (http://FromBudtoBoss.com ) launches on February 15th (gifts available if you buy the book on the launch date). The Free Bud to Boss Community (http://BudtoBossCommunity.com ) is open and available now!
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