Getting dressed for work on Monday should not feel like a preparation for war. However, even if war is not on the horizon, it is most likely that in your role as a leader you will face some battles from time to time throughout the work week. The intensity of these battles can (and often, will) impact the work environment. These battles often begin with smaller skirmishes fueled by the dynamics of the work environment and driven by the internal narrative that employees use to establish and maintain the core of relationships at work.
Understanding the normal way your employees interact is critical when establishing your approach as a leader. A great place to start is by silently observing how employees are interacting with one another. Pay attention to employees when a co-worker enters the room… notice the words that are said, the general reaction (of everyone). Do employees position themselves so they do not have contact with that co-worker. Using unconscious reactions to gauge how the working environment is measured can offer plenty of feedback about it.
Unfortunately, working environments are at their most dangerous when they come to resemble a combat zone of interactions. Skirmishes, battles or war(s) are all relative should there be a clash among employees.
Skirmishes occur when individuals communicate one-on-one. The smart move here is to remember that people can control the tempo & flow of the human interaction, and addressing these irregular, unpremeditated conflicts whenever you have been made aware of them is important. Fail to properly address these skirmishes and battles will soon follow!
Battles happen when individuals cling together in small groups based on common interests, ideas, etc. The smart move here is to ensure that the overall needs to fulfill the assigned task/mission are carried out. When battles occur, it requires more effort to address the challenges they present. Fail to properly address battles and the organization’s processes can be jeopardized.
Wars develop over time when skirmishes and battles are not properly addressed. Wars in organizations have the capacity to impact the bottom line including labor cost, time, energy, lost jobs, etc. Ultimately, the potential to drastically impact business operations and output can be prevented if the leaders accept the real challenges of addressing skirmishes and battles thereby preventing wars.
As a leader you must be aware of your own way of thinking; this is critical because it will steer your behavior. Leaders set the tone in the work environment that influences and normalizes acceptable behavior. At the core of you is the ability to determine your own attitude when you swing your feet over the side of the bed every morning. As Einstein said, “Smart people solve problems, genius’ prevent them.” Why not have a legacy of a genius?!
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