Picture this – You are an intense journey that demands everyone brings their best forward but half the leaders are unequipped to deal with conflict.
Where does that leave you? It leaves a lot o confusion and mistrust on the team.
A recent DDI study revealed that almost 50% of emerging leaders struggle with conflict, with only 12% demonstrating true mastery.
Are you—-maybe even a little bit—-one of these leaders?
Why does this matter? In the high-stakes arena of business, conflict management isn’t just a skill; it’s essential for organizational success. The message is clear: in business, those who can navigate conflict have less turnover, are less stressed, have better financial outcomes, and are more innovative.
CEOs recognize this gap.
A Stanford University/Miles Group study found that 43% of top executives ranked conflict management as their most desired skill to develop.
So, why is conflict such a formidable foe?
Drawing from three decades in the field, I’ve identified three key reasons:
1. Confusing conflict management with confrontation
Confrontation – going face-to-face with someone – can be intimidating.
It is also very ineffective and often gives you the opposite result than you want. Confrontation is the definition of destructive conflict. When you learn other strategies, like Spiral Impact, conflict is a welcome as part of the innovation process. And can create better relationships and engagement.
2. Assumptions that are wrong
Leaders often assume they must have the answers and mistakenly make assumptions about other people’s motivations and resulting behaviors without investigating.
3. Not having effective skills or tools.
Many people come to work with the conflict skills they’ve learned in their families or from our media and entertainment. Most of which are dysfunctional.
Effective conflict mastery requires integration of the emotions, the mind, and even the body. It takes support and practice to be proficient. Every conflict situation varies so widely because the people and subjects are so different!
