Leadership and Management Development
Conflict management
Your leadership and management development programme needs to be centered around the six essential leadership management skills, namely the ability:
- To set and achieve your goals.
- To communicate clearly.
- To manage time and prioritise, and delegate work.
- To manage conflict and handle difficult people.
- To create and sustain a positive mental attitude, especially during tough times.
- To inspire others and create a positive, productive atmosphere.
If you want to know more about conflict management training, please read on................
Conflict management training
Conflict is inevitable. You are bound to get some. The reason you will get conflict is simple: not everyone shares your ideas. What you think is good, they think is no good. What you think will work, they don't think will work. What you think is the next move, they disagree and propose the opposite.
So, conflict is inevitable.
And in addition to disagreements over tactics, some people misbehave. They don't show up for the meeting on time. They swear in the wrong place. They break things because they were messing around. They don't do things according to the agreed protocols.
So again, conflict becomes inevitable.
If conflict is inevitable, then as the leader manager you need to learn to deal with it.
- You must deal with conflict within the context of you conflicting with others.
- You need to be able to deal with conflict within the context of other people falling out and fighting amongst themselves and with you acting as the peacemaker.
In both cases you need to understand, memorise and use the principles of rational conflict management.
What are the principles of rational conflict management?
Here they are in a nutshell:
1. Remember that your primary goal is to modify their behaviour
Remember that your primary goal is to modify their behaviour - not win the argument. So don't argue for entertainment value. And don't argue in an emotional an "all guns blazing" manner. (See below notes).
2."Nip it in the bud"
When a conflict situation arises, deal with it. Don't run away and hope that the situation will get better if you don't mention it. It probably won't get better. You must step in and deal with the situation before it can grow into something more dangerous.
3.Don't use emotional language
When in conflict situations, your emotions are aroused. But don't let that mean that you use emotive and highly charged language to express your meaning. Instead of using emotive, subjective language, use objective language.
4.Use objective language
Objective language is factual, emotionalised, specific, and evidenced based language. Talk about the facts that led to your feelings. Don't talk about your feelings themselves. Talk about what the person did, or failed to do, that triggered the feelings.
Verbalise the Facts not the feelings.
5.Don't attack their self-image. (Ego or pride)
Make a distinction between the man and the performance. Criticise the performance, or the action, don't criticise the man (or woman's) personality or character.
6.Give them their clear way out of the conflict
Suggest a specific corrective action. State the behaviour change that you think would represent a logical way out of the impasse.
Ask them for a specific change in their behaviour.
Ask them if they can agree to your suggested logical way out of the impasse.
If they say yes, then that is great.
If they say no, then ask "why not?".
7. Distinguish reasons from excuses
When he answers your question, then you need to distinguish between a reason for not doing something and an excuse for not doing something.
- If he offers reasons then negotiate and give concessions.
- If he offers only excuses then don't negotiate and don't give concessions.
8. Positively reinforce any positive change in their behaviour
Give appreciation and praise to any behaviour that you would like to see repeated.
Don't allow conflicts to degenerate into emotional clashes that spoil relationships and the productivity of the team. The team must be a cohesive unit and must be able to resolve conflicts according to the principles of reason.
Additional notes on conflict:
Conflict situations tend to knock ones self-confidence and tend therefore to have a negative effect of the emotions and motivation. Conflicts tend to make leaders less motivated to come to work and less confident when there.
But of course, we need our leaders to be confident and motivated. Even during tough times, especially during tough times.
Please follow the link for details about our leadership and management development training.
Blogs by Email
Do you want to receive an email whenever we post a new blog? The blogs contain article 5-10 minutes long - ideal for reading during your coffee break!
Further Reading in Leadership and Management
-
Leadership qualities: self control
Leadership qualities: self control Many organisations are interested in developing some of their people into future leaders; so many organisations are interested in identifying potential leaders; which are those people who show good promise and will be worthy of further investment. Organisations need to identify those people who have leadership qualities...
Read Article > -
Leadership and management development
Leadership and management require that you set goals This six part essay covers the six major themes of leadership and management development. The six leadership and management development themes are as follows: Your leadership and management development programme needs to be centered on the six essential leadership management skills, namely the...
Read Article > -
What is the Skill Will Matrix?
The Skill Will Matrix helps managers adjust their management style, to successfully manage the different skills and levels of motivation in their workforce.
Read Article > -
Three Major Keys to Leadership
There are many skills a leader needs, but they can be grouped into three major sets. Take a look at these three major keys to good leadership and improve your successes.
Read Article > -
Leadership Skills: Positive Mental Attitude
Adopt the mind set of a great leader: See it, believe it and achieve it!
Read Article >
Looking for Leadership and Management Training?
If you're looking for Leadership and Management Training, you may find this Leadership and Management Training Course beneficial:
Open Training Course Pricing and Availability
Next Open Course Starts in 22 days, Exeter, places available