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October 11, 2023 Leaders: Managing Conflict with Confidence and Tact

Conflict is one of the unfortunate inevitabilities you, as a leader, will have to face at some point or another in your career. Whether you’re stomping out little workplace fires, or facing a full-on blaze of contention, it’s best to prepare yourself for conflict.

Unless you’re currently in the middle of a dealing with a crisis, you can’t be certain of what types of conflict you will have to deal with. Even so, there are some general rules of thumb and best practices you can follow. Here are 7 guidelines for facing conflict with confidence, tact, and a level head.

Build Trust

Set the stage for effective conflict management by building trust within your team. When trust is established, your people will come to you early on when they are experiencing a hardship, rather than wait until it reaches a boiling point.

Gather the Facts

When acting as a mediator or conflict manager, it is essential to gather as many facts about the situation as possible. This includes speaking with all parties involved, reviewing any relevant documentation or evidence, and seeking out different perspectives on the issue. By gathering the facts, you can make informed decisions and avoid jumping to conclusions or making biased judgments.

Create a Safe Space for Communication

Conflict resolution requires open and honest communication. As a leader, it’s important to create a safe and non-judgmental space where individuals feel comfortable expressing themselves. Encourage active listening, empathy, and respect during discussions, and set ground rules for constructive dialogue.

Clarify Expectations

Miscommunication and misunderstandings often contribute to workplace conflicts. Take the time to clarify expectations, roles, and responsibilities to minimize potential conflicts. Ensure that everyone understands their tasks, deadlines, and the overall objectives.

Listen (and Encourage Others to Do the Same)

A major part of conflict management is practicing active listening. That means actually paying attention to what others are saying instead of thinking up an immediate response. It also means attempting to empathize with their situation—to place yourself in their shoes. If people are talking over each other or not paying attention, give them a gentle reminder that listening is key to resolving the issue at hand.

Collaborate on a Plan

You do not have to be the only person to propose an action plan to resolve the conflict—in fact, it’s better to get the input and ideas of those affected by, or who have a stake in, the conflict. By collaborating on a plan, you can ensure that everyone’s needs and perspectives are taken into account. This will help in finding a solution that is fair and mutually beneficial.

Address the Root Cause

To effectively manage conflict, it’s important to address the root cause rather than just treating the symptoms. Take the time to identify the underlying issues that contributed to the conflict and work towards resolving them. By doing so, you can prevent similar conflicts from arising in the future.

Remember, conflict is not always a negative thing. It can present an opportunity for growth, learning, and innovation. As a leader, it’s your role to navigate conflicts in a constructive manner and foster a positive work environment. By following these guidelines and practicing effective conflict management, you can help resolve conflicts effectively and also prevent them from escalating in the first place.

MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, AUTHOR, INSIGHTS® DISCOVERY (AND DEEPER DISCOVERY) LICENSED PRACTITIONER, AND FOUNDER OF UXL. SHE HOSTS WORKSHOPS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED CAREER OR PERSONAL GUIDANCE. 
CHECK OUT MARGARET’S ONLINE LEADERSHIP COURSE. 

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September 20, 2023 Always Growing: 6 Ways to Cultivate Continuous Learning

At certain points in our lives, we are learning almost nonstop. In school, we’re introduced to new subjects and topics while adapting to new environments and teachers. When we start a new job, we’re learning about the expectations, the workplace culture, and the ins and outs of the job itself. But if we’re not in a situation where we’re “forced” to learn, do we make an effort to expand our knowledge? If not, how can we make this a priority? And why is it important to keep learning anyway?

Continuous learning is vital for many reasons. It can help sharpen or expand your skillset, introduce you to new perspectives, help you master new technology, or even increase your leadership skills. Lifelong learning is also great for your brain health. Scientific studies have demonstrated that “when we learn new skills, the density of our myelin, or the brain’s white matter is increased. This in turn helps improve performance. Our neurons are also stimulated, forming more neural pathways which allow us to learn better.”

So how do you keep on learning? Try any or all of the following tips:

Maintain Your Curiosity

My grandson Leo is always asking, “Why?” Why this, why that. Why do I have to go? This childhood sense of curiosity is not only adorable, it’s helpful for expanding his world. If he doesn’t understand something, he asks about it. As adults, we do not always admit when we’re confused or need clarification. We don’t always acknowledge our shortcomings. I encourage you to get curious! Ask questions, find your sense of wonder, recognize that there are many things you don’t know about or understand (which is fine! You can endeavor to learn about these things…).

Learn Every Day

How might your world change if you attempted to learn something new every day? What if you woke up and, instead of scrolling through social media or checking your email, you read an article by Wired or Harvard Business Review? What if you read a few pages of a book? What if you spent just 10 minutes taking a go-at-your-own pace online class?

Alternatively, what if you dared to ask questions at your next meeting? Or asked for help or additional guidance/insights from one of your colleagues? Your curiosity and willingness to learn can open doors and expand your perspectives.

Cultivate Your Newsfeed

There is an educational side of the internet, but you have to look for it! There’s nothing wrong with occasionally checking Instagram or watching a cute cat video, but if this is all you’re doing you’re missing an opportunity to learn and grow. Try replacing some of your social media time (or mindless scrolling time) with something educational. The more you seek out and click on enriching, informative articles, the more these items will populate your newsfeed (through Google, Apple, or through a social media site). That’s how their algorithms work. But you have to make the first move! Seek out educational material, and eventually you’ll see similar articles suggested to you.

Create/Join a Book Club

There are many incredible books out there that can introduce you to new ways of thinking, expand your skills, or simply offer you a fresh perspective. No matter your interests, there’s a book out there for you. It can be easy, however, to let reading take the backburner. To keep up on your to-read list, consider starting a book club with like-minded folks. Discussing the books you read with others will help you appreciate them in a deeper way.

Change the Channel

I certainly understand the need to tune out at the end of the day with any old TV show. But what if you made an effort to watch something educational or informative once or twice each week? Several fascinating documentaries exist about a variety of topics. You don’t have to watch a five-hour Ken Burns documentary (unless you want to!); instead, you might opt for something like “Explained,” a mini-documentary series on Netflix, or switch over to YouTube to learn about a new topic.

Take a Class

It’s easier than ever to take a class on a new subject. You might opt for an in-person class (through community education programs, local arts or sciences organizations, a nearby university, etc.) or an online class (several platforms exist, including Teachable, which hosts my online leadership class). Each route has its advantages and disadvantages, so choose what’s right for you.

Happy learning!

MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, AUTHOR, INSIGHTS® DISCOVERY (AND DEEPER DISCOVERY) LICENSED PRACTITIONER, AND FOUNDER OF UXL. SHE HOSTS WORKSHOPS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED CAREER OR PERSONAL GUIDANCE. 
CHECK OUT MARGARET’S ONLINE LEADERSHIP COURSE. 

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September 6, 2023 Bringing a Back-to-School Mentality to the Workplace

If you’ve been in the same job for a while, things can start to feel a little routine, or even a little stale. Most of us probably interact with the same people, do the same—or similar—set of tasks, and work the same hours. When we get in a rut like this, our energy levels can drop like a rock. We might feel depleted, unmotivated, or disengaged. We might begin procrastinating because we’re not enthusiastic about the work in front of us.

How can we get out of this rut and re-energize ourselves? How can we overcome the workplace blahs? One approach is bringing a “back-to-school mentality” to the workplace. You know how little kids can be so enthusiastic to start a new school year? They might be excited to see their friends, interact with teachers, or learn something new. THAT is the mentality I’m encouraging you to embrace. Here are 6 ways to do it.

Get Refocused

When we start something new, we’re usually highly engaged with it. At a new job, we spend our early days getting to know the workplace, the people, the expectations, and the job itself. We’re focused on what we’re doing, and we’re more likely to be present.

I know it can be difficult to recapture your spark for your job, but what if you took a week to do any or all of the following?

  • Try to be more present
  • Remember the fun and challenging parts of your job
  • Appreciate the positive aspects of your work
  • Recognize the good in your co-workers

As the year draws to a close, getting refocused is a positive and productive way to enter the fourth quarter (Q4).

Approach work with fresh eyes

As a kid, when you head back to school, you’re faced with a lot of things that are brand new. You probably have new teachers, new subjects to learn, and perhaps new people to meet. All this newness helps kids to be adaptable and open-minded. They’re willing to try new things and approach their studies with fresh eyes.

To bring this mentality to the workplace, try to cultivate a sense of novelty and curiosity. Look for opportunities to learn something new or take on different tasks. Challenge yourself to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions.

Set goals and track progress

In school, students often have clear goals to work towards. Whether it’s earning good grades, participating in extracurricular activities, or preparing for college, there’s always something to strive for. These goals give students a sense of direction and purpose.

Similarly, setting goals at work can help bring back that excitement and motivation. Think about what you want to achieve in your job and break it down into smaller, actionable steps. Create a plan and set deadlines for yourself. As you make progress towards your goals, track your achievements and celebrate your successes.

Ask good questions

Just like a good student, it’s helpful to show up to work with a sense of curiosity and a willingness to learn. You don’t know everything, and that’s okay! That’s why it’s important to ask good questions, especially when you’re in meetings. I cover ways to gain more clarity through poignant questions in this blog post (which also includes a video).

Read

In school, we have many opportunities to read (whether textbooks or novels in English class), and many kids tend to read on their own. But as an adult, reading can become a low priority. That’s unfortunate because reading is a great way to expand your knowledge and stimulate your mind. It can also help you stay updated on industry trends and developments.

Consider incorporating reading into your daily routine. Set aside some time each day to read books, articles, or blogs related to your field or other areas of interest. You can also join book clubs or online forums to engage in discussions and share insights with others.

Socialize

One of the best parts of going back to school is reconnecting with friends and classmates after a long break. The social aspect of school can be uplifting and energizing.

To bring this element into your workplace, make an effort to connect with your colleagues. Take the time to have coffee or lunch together, engage in conversation, or collaborate on projects.

By adopting a back-to-school mentality and implementing these strategies, you can infuse new energy and enthusiasm into your work. Don’t be afraid to embrace the excitement of learning, setting goals, asking questions, and exploring new ideas. Keep growing and evolving in your professional journey.

MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, AUTHOR, INSIGHTS® DISCOVERY (AND DEEPER DISCOVERY) LICENSED PRACTITIONER, AND FOUNDER OF UXL. SHE HOSTS WORKSHOPS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED CAREER OR PERSONAL GUIDANCE. 
CHECK OUT MARGARET’S ONLINE LEADERSHIP COURSE. 

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