conflict resolution

Sarcasm or Intentionally Forcing Happiness?

Remember this scene from “The Sound of Music” … It’s Maria’s [Julie Andrews] first evening dinner with the Captain and the children.  Earlier that day the children placed a frog in her dress pocket.  Instead of chastising them, she took … Continue reading

Inside your brain: Techniques for reducing conflict with coworkers

When cooperation with coworkers is at a low level, conflict increases, productivity  decreases, tempers are shortened, deadlines are missed and safety is compromised.  These high stress levels fuel conflict and disharmony, which directly affects productivity and damages your safety culture. … Continue reading

Just your ego peeking through?

Has this ever happened to you?  Your conversation begins normally.  Next thing you know words are flying and you are in the middle of a heated argument.  How did you get here?  What went so terribly wrong? When we get … Continue reading

Tossin’ and Turnin’ All Night …

The studies have finally caught up with what we all know:  business owners are losing sleep because of the economy.  Anyone that owns a business with less than 99 employees, is an executive for a company with less than 99 … Continue reading

Claiming another’s ideas….

My brother, Norm, called to ask my professional coaching opinion on how he should handle a work situation: “One of the guys I work with presented one of my ideas, but did not give me credit for the idea. I … Continue reading

Oil and Water People in the Office

Are members of your staff like oil and water – not mixing well enough to become a team? As a manager, you’ve seen the stress involved, and are not immune to their feelings as well as the pressure from your … Continue reading

Early in life teachings

Early in life we are taught to play nice and follow the Golden Rule. As we grow up and enter the business world, we find out that there are different ways to play nice. Others (or our own) behaviors can … Continue reading

The Status of Conflict

Inter-team conflict will never go away.  One of the basics that needs to be discussed among the team members is “How do you feel about conflict?”  Is conflict neutral?  or does it cause emotions to run high?  I contend that it is our … Continue reading

Surface Level or Deep Thinker?

Think of your staff … each one uses a different thought process  when faced with a challenge. Some will look at the personal side and how it will affect the team, others look at the situation from a strictly-business perspective.  … Continue reading

The Credit or the Outcome

Before you even get to the actual meeting, you have to ask the person to meet with you. So how do you do this? Asking for the meeting, yes ASKING, not telling, is as important as setting the ground rules … Continue reading