If I haven’t said already, the theme of the month is conflict (prevention)!
One of the biggest things to come out of the the panelled talk at UCL on conflict in the workplace was the central need of emotional intelligence at work.
This is a growing need: as work becomes more remote, more technological, more disparate, more atomised, there is less instruction, less contact, and less community at work and hence more need to bond.
Whatever computers can do, they can’t feel, and they can’t empathise either. So this is where our most human elements have most value.
If you’re looking to manage conflict at work do these things:
- Do not react in anger. It will only create more anger. Listen. Well. Process, then discuss.
- Try to create relationships with colleagues outside of normal work tasks, this will help to humanise your relationships and ease the potential for conflict to arise.
- Remember we all have needs: we have a need of belonging, of having a voice, of being heard, of being valued. If our needs are threatened, we have a recipe for conflict so try to emphasise with how others are feeling to help understand the real source of the conflict.
And remember the golden rule:
If you are having a rough time at work and feel as though you are shrouded in conflict—you can’t get on with your colleagues, there is too much miscommunication for you to get your work done, there is tension within you about the work itself—don’t feel bad. This might be the best thing that ever happened to you!
Conflict and a feeling of discomfort can be a wonderful source of insight to you about what things are working for you and what things aren’t. Watch the video to hear about a man that taught me so much about the beauty of discomfort in work and how it helped him to move on from one job and found something that suited him so much more.
Naomi is a tutor and careers guide on the mission to help people find their voices in education and careers. Please follow @voicenaomi on all socials and go to www.naomisutherland.co.uk if you need help figuring out your path.
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