With the pressing global challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss, we need the charities, NGO’s and other organisations championing sustainability at the top of their game.
Research identifies that up to 25% of managers time is spent handling workplace conflict, this is lost capacity, and more importantly environmental impact, than we cannot afford.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for the possibility of creativity, innovation and opportunity which can come out of intra and inter-organisation conflict, but come on, 25%! OK, some conflict in the workplace is inevitable. And while the social and environmental impact sector is brimming with sustainability committed people, our passion, ambition, anxiety, and our competition for resources can bring out the worst in us!
It's how we handle conflict that matters. Culturally in the West we learn do our utmost to avoid conflict. Often this is a very wise, self-preserving thing to do, for example when a pub fight breaks out. But at work, the staggering lengths we go to, to avoid it can result in festering sores of resentment, antagonism, and down-right intransigent disruption, directly damaging productivity, culture and even the sustainability impact of our organisation. An environmental CEO said to me recently that the huge effort he had gone to, to avoid conflict within his NGO, had actually resulted in much, much more conflict being generated.
As an accredited Dialogue for Peaceful Change -DPC, mediator, my role is to facilitate communication and negotiation as a neutral third party, helping parties reach a mutually acceptable resolution. Mediation provides a safe and respectful environment for parties to express concerns and perspectives freely. Utilising active listening and empathy, I understand underlying issues and guide discussions toward common ground and solutions. Through structured processes, I assist parties in exploring options and generating creative solutions, fostering ownership of outcomes and durable agreements.
Far from being disruptive, within the impact sector, effectively resolving conflict can yield a myriad of benefits. The results are impressive. It’s a pretty impressive list, and for the conflicts in your organisation, it can be all yours!
Improved Relationships: Resolving conflict fosters better understanding and communication between colleagues, leading to stronger working relationships.
Increased Productivity: Addressing conflict promptly prevents disruptions and distractions, allowing teams to focus on their tasks and goals more effectively.
Enhanced Collaboration: Resolving conflicts encourages teamwork and collaboration, as team members learn to work together more harmoniously towards common objectives.
Higher Morale: Dealing with conflict positively creates a healthier work environment, boosting morale and job satisfaction among employees.
Reduced Stress: Resolving conflict reduces tension and stress in the workplace, creating a more positive and supportive atmosphere for everyone.
Innovation and Creativity: Conflict resolution encourages open dialogue and diverse perspectives, stimulating innovation and creative problem-solving within teams.
Retained Talent: Addressing conflict proactively helps prevent turnover by resolving issues before they escalate, thereby retaining valuable employees.
Enhanced Reputation: A workplace known for effectively managing conflict earns a reputation as a supportive and professional environment, attracting top talent and fostering positive relationships with clients and stakeholders.
With weather records being constantly broken, we in sustainability need to be at peak performance -humanity is depending on us. Facing and resolving conflict at work unlocks no end of benefit. And ultimately, investing in conflict resolution is an investment in the well-being and success not only of our colleagues, our organisations, and perhaps even humanity as a whole.
Iain Patton www.iainpatton.org
If I can help you embrace your conflict, get in touch.
If you might be interested in being trained in Dialogue for Peaceful Change, I’m taking expressions of interest now.
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