Analysis Of Five Keys Of Dealing With Workplace Conflict

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The article “5 Keys of Dealing with Workplace Conflict” by Mike Myatt discusses how strong leadership and effective conflict resolution is what separates bad leaders from good ones. Mike sets the stage for this article by asking the question “How many times over the years have you witnessed otherwise savvy professionals self-destruct because they wouldn’t engage out of a fear of conflict?” (Myatt, 2012) He discusses how attempting to hide from conflict, while hopping it passes you by is a very ineffective way of conflict resolution, because conflict very rarely resolves itself and escalates if not dealt with proactively. Mike goes on to describe how “every workplace is plagued with manipulative people who use emotion to create conflict in …show more content…

While Mike believes that conflict is a normal part of any organization, and the real challenge is how one deals with it. He then provides you with his “5 Keys of Dealing with Workplace Conflict,” (Myatt, 2012) which are: “Define Acceptable Behavior, Hit Conflict Head-on, Understanding the WIIFM Factor, The Importance Factor, and View Conflict as Opportunity.” (Myatt, 2012) What I have learned for this article is, that in order to be a good leader, you need to know how to deal with conflict, employ effective conflict resolution, while also avoided unnecessary …show more content…

In his first step of “Define Acceptable Behavior,” (Myatt, 2012) his advice of “creating a framework for decisioning, using a published delegation of authority statement, encouraging sound business practices in collaboration, team building, leadership development, and talent management will all help avoid conflicts,“ (Myatt, 2012) is very sound advice. I think it would really be a big help to everyone to have predefined rules and operating procedures to foster a good work environment. In step two, “Hit Conflict Head-on,” (Myatt, 2012) he advises to seek out conflict and “proactively intervening in a just and decisive fashion.” (Myatt, 2012) I believe that its fantastic advice, the quicker you can deal with conflict, the less time it will have to fester. I also completely agree with his statement “time spent identifying and understanding natural tensions will help to avoid unnecessary conflict.” (Myatt, 2012) By taking some time in the beginning to do this, you can save yourself time in the end. Step 3 “Understanding the WIIFM Factor,” (Myatt, 2012) for which WIIFM stands for “what’s in it for me.” (Myatt, 2012) I agree that it would be vital to understand other people’s motivations before weighing in and how helping people achieve their goals would help to avoid conflict. However, I could see a potential con to this advice and that being some people may feel slighted if they

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