You have probably seen or been involved in confrontation discussions that got off track. I know that I have. Maybe you were speaking with one of your co-workers about cleaning the coffee pot in the break room and you found yourself in a heated discussion about your desire to “boss everyone around.” Maybe you attempted to confront someone who reports to you about missing a deadline and you wound up discussing their sick family pet and the trouble they were having trying to get the issue resolved. Or maybe you mentioned taking out the garbage to your teenage son and, the next thing you knew, you were in the middle of a discussion about your tendency to yell at him “all the time.” Remember to address one issue at a time for better conflict resolution.

Conflict conversations often go wrong when the two parties disengage too soon. As Daniel Dana, author of Conflict Resolution, says; people often don’t “argue” long enough because of a hard-wired behavioral approach commonly known as the “fight-or-flight” response…Following a simple process to control these inappropriate responses can help you to effectively self-mediate many interpersonal conflicts.

Presidential politics isn’t business, but these very public events do offer you opportunities to learn and apply lessons that can benefit you and your organization. Read more…

Many conflicts begin with a perception of threat. As a result, we experience a rush of adrenaline that lowers our intelligence so that we do not communicate well during the conflict. With that wonderful thought in mind, I offer these seven ways to improve your communication when you find yourself in a conflict situation. Focus on these seven tips, and you will more effectively communicate your way to a resolved conflict.

Some unacceptable behaviors will happen. When they do, it is the leader’s responsibility to step in and address them. Read more…

Smart leaders understand that they don’t “make” a change happen. They recognize that the people in their organization do the work, change behaviors, and, ultimately, make the change happen. Read more…