While writing the manuscript for Sandbox Strategies for the New Workplace: Conflict Resolution from the Inside Out, I interviewed HR managers to understand their biggest challenges with team disagreements. Here are eight characteristics they seek in new hires and promotion candidates.

The common offender:  a lack of understanding and disagreement stemming from one’s tunnel vision rather than having a broad view of their organization’s goals. (Goal clarification comes from the top, and I’ll write more on that later)

Hiring managers seek characteristics to mitigate workplace conflict and promote their best people who have:

1. Insight into themselves (seek to understand themselves)
2. Resilient mindsets
3. Interest in mastering their emotional intelligence
4. Responses versus reactions to situations (especially unexpected ones)
5. Humility to admit their mistakes, apologize, and restore trust
6. An understanding of others, empathy and compassion
7. A willingness to detach from their personal opinions to fit in with a team
8. The ability to stay calm and move through difficult conversations

A common sought-after characteristic was a desire to have team members who don’t provoke or intensify heightened situations — but instead would “keep calm and move through the sandstorm.”

It’s a skill to know and choose how to respond, rather than react when emotions are running hot. Remember, logic acts slower than emotion, and because we’re all human, it’s difficult to be appropriate in all situations. As easy as it sounds to play nice, we don’t always do well when the going gets tough.

Communication is an art, not a science. It will never be perfect, but we can be humble, honest, and keep trying until things feel and sound better. Help your team learn the skills and practice, practice, practice to build supportive habits for solid characteristics for your greatest castle (workplace).

If you can’t find your way call Penny Tremblay because we have team building, conflict resolution, and leadership training services to support you. If you’re experiencing team disagreements, inquire about Step 1 of the Sandbox System™ – Conflict Resolution, and if you’re already playing nice and want to elevate the skills of your emerging leaders, inquire about Step 2 of the Sandbox System™ – Leadership Training.

Peace,

Penny

Learn the strategies that will help your team resolve conflict in the NEW workplace.

• Embrace, accept, and welcome conflicting values
• Understand the importance of collaborative relationships for career advancement
• Take responsibility to co-create a winning culture with productive and profitable results
• Empathize with coworkers and even competitors to be the leader others WANT to follow

Press Appearances:

• CEOWorld Magazine 
• Blue Heron Journal
• Mareo McCracken
• EverydayMBA, Host: Kevin Craine 
• Savvy Business
• Swimming in the Flood
• Get Down to Business
• HR.com Leadership Excellence
• Indian Management Magazine
• Crafting Solutions to Conflict
• Vantage Fit Podcast
• Stay tuned, more coming soon…