From Sandpit Squabbles to Workplace Conflict / effective Leadership

Tags: Effective Leadership; Improve Communication Skills, Soft Skills Training Workplace Wellness

As people consultants, we often find ourselves in the role of conflict resolution.

Employees can react like we are asking them to make a lifelong commitment to one another. But where does this tension come from? 

How difficult is it to find common ground? We’re not asking them to go on vacation together. We simply expect them to be civil, respectful, and cooperate to get the work done. When did the employer have to step in like a preschool teacher overseeing the sandpit? It’s a shared responsibility, and employers and employees must play their part. 

Of course, it is a legitimate request from an employee where another employee’s behaviour breaches legislated expectations or organisational policies.

So, what is it about people today that we seem to have an increasing occurrence of “I can’t work with that person”? 

While we don’t have a definitive answer, several contributing factors may be involved.

1. Increased Stress and Pressure: The modern work environment is often fast-paced with tight deadlines. This pressure can lead to heightened stress levels among employees, making them more susceptible to conflicts and less tolerant of differences in opinions or approaches. These conflicts can significantly impact productivity and job satisfaction, making it crucial to address them.
2. Lack of Soft Skills: While today’s workforce is often tech-savvy, some employees lack essential soft skills such as communication, conflict resolution, empathy and teamwork. Without these skills, employees can struggle to navigate interpersonal relationships and manage disagreements.
3. Poor Leadership: Ineffective leadership and management practices can contribute to strained employee relationships. When leaders fail to address conflicts, set clear expectations or foster a positive work culture, it can create an environment where employees struggle to work together harmoniously.   

Just as we debate whose responsibility it is to teach children to play nicely in the sandpit—parents or preschool teachers—we could have the same futile debate on who in society should be responsible for teaching soft skills. 

The reality is that employers will benefit from investing in programs that teach employees self-awareness, self-control, and relationship-building skills. This investment is not just a cost but a potential for growth and improvement. 

Additionally, employers need to invest in building leadership capability in their organisations. In fostering solid relationships, leaders must have the skills to build teams, create positive work cultures and resolve conflicts. 

This is not a burden but an opportunity for a better workplace.