Conflict is a good thing. Any time you work with people, you can expect there to be some level of conflict. Most of us shy away from it, but it can actually lead to great team chemistry and trust. The consequences of not resolving conflict will always be greater than the reward. I would rather live in the small reward of conflict resolution than the vast consequences of never coming to resolution.
1. CONFLICT CREATES TRUST
-
Avoiding conflict creates mistrust.
-
The pillars of a strong relationship are trust, communication, and respect. When I confront issues with people, it should build trust. We are choosing to not air out our grievances behind their back, but are willing to go straight to the source and provide constructive feedback.
-
Establish trust by being a leader that confronts issues. Commit to working through differences and being someone that builds them up.
-
Avoiding conflict creates questions.
-
Clarity eliminates confusion. Great leaders address the eggshells and clarify the ‘why’ and the expectations. Part of leadership is providing the guardrails that people live and lead within. Clarity brings safety.
-
Establish clarity by confronting issues when they happen and clarifying expectations or how their decision affected you.
3. CONFLICT CREATES CHEMISTRY
-
Avoiding conflict creates awkwardness.
- Conflict and resolution should lead to more trust which should lead to more chemistry. Any time I’ve had tough conversations with people, I leave feeling more connected. Remember this: You are one conversation away from solving the issue. Maybe your team lacks chemistry because there’s no confrontation.
- Establish chemistry by having tough conversations and holding others accountable.
4. CONFLICT CREATES CREATIVITY
-
Avoiding conflict limits our ability to find a solution.
-
Most of us get stuck because we’re unwilling to address the issue. But when you confront the issue - whether it be with a person, finances, family, etc. - you can inspect the reality of the situation so that you can get creative in how to address it and move forward.
-
Establish creativity by being open enough to address the issue and look at it from a different perspective.
Ultimately, the better we become at conflict resolution, the healthier our lives will be. Make it a goal for yourself to close the gap between your conflict and solutions. When we address the small things, it gives us the confidence to address the big things.
Comments