Workplace conflict is inevitable. But peer-to-peer conflict is a bit easier to navigate and overcome than conflict that extends beyond power dynamics in the office. When a boss is in conflict with their employees, turnover, morale, trust, and productivity can take much bigger hits than they may during other types of conflict. This is especially...
Summary of: Rodriguez-Sanchez, J-L., Gonzalez-Torres, T., Montero-Navarro, A., & Gallego-Losada, R. (2020). Investing time and resources for work-life balance: The effect on talent retention. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(6), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17061920 Background & Theory This article explains the importance of work-life balance and provides a look at recommended strategies that companies...
This week’s peacebuilding tip is about how to take the other’s position in conflict. This strategy is a cognitive exercise when you are trying to make peace with someone who has a different perspective than you. First, be very clear on what you are trying to convey or how you are positioning yourself. After understanding yourself,...
Summary of: Li, P., Sun, J.,Taris, T.W., Xing, L., & Peeters, M.C.W., (2018). Country differences in the relationship between leadership and employee engagement: A meta-analysis. The Leadership Quarterly, (101458), 1-14, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.leaqua.2020.101458 Background & Theory The type of leadership an organization has is related to important organizational outcomes and follower engagement. In this article, researchers wanted...
Are you wondering how to address toxic work relationships that are getting in the way of personnel and performance? You might be in a pretty tricky situation if that question has crossed your mind. In some work environments, people are drawn to each other because they enjoy gossip, engaging in constant criticism, or chronically igniting...
Every workplace experiences conflict from time to time. In fact, any place where people convene to work toward a common goal is likely to experience occasional flare ups of disagreement and dispute. So if conflict is so commonly possible, how do you know when you need a conflict resolution specialist to intervene? Below, we have...
Some people default to reactions of aggression when facing challenging situations. When provoked or triggered, these folks don’t typically leave room to try to understand the reasons for a situation or work to seek creative solutions but instead will react quickly and intensely with anger. In these situations, the needs of said person become the...
A myriad of personalities convene in an organization for the purpose of shared goals, even while under pressure from managers, customers, and financial needs. This is certainly a setting where conflict can arise frequently. Some leaders may decide to handle conflict on their own, or perhaps just ignore it altogether. But when conflict is ignored...
When employees are happier, businesses do better. From retention to innovation, customer service to costly mistakes, improved employee morale means an improved bottom line. Better morale also means fewer instances of workplace conflict which can slow down productivity, increase stress and tension, and lead to expensive distractions among employees. So if happy employees create better...
Summary of: Swaab, R. I., Lount Jr, R. B., Chung, S., & Brett, J. M. (2021). Setting the stage for negotiations: How superordinate goal dialogues promote trust and joint gain in negotiations between teams. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 167, 157-169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.obhdp.2021.08.001 Background & Theory In a workplace, it is common for teams to...
