On Monday nights Bruce (my husband) and I take my parents dinner and play some cards. It’s a relaxing way to spend time with two very important people. Last week when we stopped to get food, I ran in to pick up our order. While sitting in the car, Bruce noticed a woman about my size approaching the passenger door. She opened it and got in while placing a bag of food on the floor. She closed the door and looked at my husband saying, “You wouldn’t believe...” followed by total silence and her jaw hanging open. Bruce kindly said “hello there.” She reached clumsily as she tried to find the door handle to let herself out of the vehicle. She apologized profusely as she made her quick exit saying under her breath, “Where in the H is my husband parked?”

She simply wasn’t paying attention. You might say she didn’t look before she leaped. As leaders, we need to pay attention to what is going on around us and “look before we leap.” Too often leaders are given incomplete information causing them to leap into a situation too soon or one where they don’t belong at all. When you are presented with a problem, especially one dealing with relationships, be sure to listen and ask questions of all concerned before responding. Whenever possible, coach those involved so that they can do their own problem- solving. If you leap right in, you may find yourself in a clumsy situation struggling to make a graceful exit.

Here are some tips for coaching team members through workplace conflict. These tips can help you stay out of the middle, and help them reach a point of compromise.

• Try never to take sides.
• Listen without agreeing or disagreeing.
• Remind those involved that the person is separate from the issues or problems.
• Ask each person involved to consider the needs of the other individual.
• Ask them to consider the fact that their point of view may not be right for all concerned.
• Have them consider what they don’t know or may not know.
• Encourage those involved to be straight-forward, yet tactful.
• Have them consider what they are willing to compromise and what they feel they are unable to compromise.
• Ask them to attempt to come to a mutual understanding or agreement.

By the way, these tips will work for you when you are having relationship challenges as well.

Click the link to learn more about DiSC Indra and how it can help with conflict... For a sample dyad report,
click here. Don’t hesitate to call for guidance or to learn how you can set up a company account allowing your entire organization to experience numerous instruments and profiles 24/7.