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.
Conflict Management Training
Conflict is inevitable, because people disagree. Therefore, you must be able to handle conflict situations effectively. You must know how to be assertive, clear and professional (not emotional, upset and angry) whilst in conflict. If you want to learn more on how to achieve this, please click here to see our conflict management training.
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.
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Definition: conflict management
Conflict management is the business leadership process that tackles disputes early, uses calm facts not blame, seeks behaviour change rather than a win, and keeps each person's pride safe while setting a clear next step that all can follow together.
Show CG4D Definition
- Tackles disputes early
- Uses calm, fact-based talk not emotion
- Seeks behaviour change over victory
- Preserves self-respect and offers a clear way out
Article Summary
Work conflict is certain, yet a smart leader steps in fast, speaks with calm facts, and guides others to change their behaviour, so the whole team stays united, saves time and money, and grows stronger together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions that frequently get asked about this topic during our training sessions.
Why is conflict management a key leadership skill?
How can I nip conflict in the bud at work?
What does 'use objective language' mean in a dispute?
How do I ask someone to change their behaviour without offence?
When should I negotiate during a conflict and when should I not?
Why avoid attacking a person's ego during conflict resolution?
How can I boost team cohesion after a workplace clash?
Thought of something that's not been answered? Ask Us Today!
Did You Know: Key Statistics
CIPD Good Work Index 2024 reports that 36% of UK workers faced a serious clash at work in the last year. ACAS “Cost of Conflict” 2023 update finds that unmanaged disputes cost UK firms about £28.5 billion a year, close to £1,000 per worker.About the Author: Chris Farmer
Chris Farmer is the founder of the Corporate Coach Group and has many years' experience in training leaders and managers, in both the public and private sectors, to achieve their organisational goals, especially during tough economic times. He is also well aware of the disciplines and problems associated with running a business.
Over the years, Chris has designed and delivered thousands of training programmes and has coached and motivated many management teams, groups and individuals. His training programmes are both structured and clear, designed to help delegates organise their thinking and, wherever necessary, to improve their techniques and skills.
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