4 ways to use conflict to improve the workplace

Make responsibility the key to your leadership success | practice | 4 ways to use conflict to improve the workplace Created for {EMAIL} | [{NAME}]( at [{NAME}]( [For more relevant content - Update Your Profile]( | [Web Version]( July 5, 2023 CONNECT WITH SMARTBRIEF  [LinkedIn]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [SmartBrief on Leadership]( Innovative Ideas. Ahead of the Curve. [SIGN UP]( ⋅ [SHARE](  [] Leading the Way [] [Make responsibility the key to your leadership success]( [Make responsibility the key to your leadership success]( (Kelvin Murray/Getty Images) Leaders known for being responsible will be the ones others turn to for guidance, because they know the leader will deliver on their promises and offer assistance when needed, says Jaclynn Robinson, a senior learning and development consultant for Gallup. "So when it comes to goal setting, general responsibilities, key priorities, challenges, they know they can depend on this manager to help them think through and manage their workload," Robinson says. Full Story: [Gallup]( (7/3) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: Managers who lead with responsibility may often create resentment if they impose too much of their own direction on the work of reports or create more work for themselves if they can't say, "No," [Robinson notes](. "This can burn them out or the team out." [] SmartBrief on Leadership [] [4 ways to use conflict to improve the workplace]( [4 ways to use conflict to improve the workplace]( (mikroman6/Getty Images) Conflict between co-workers can be turned into a benefit by savvy leaders who can defuse the anger, bring clarity to the situation and are willing to have difficult, but transformational, conversations, consultant Marlene Chism writes. Chism outlines four areas to focus on and offers a series of questions to ask yourself to get to the root of the conflict and bring about positive change. Full Story: [SmartBrief/Leadership]( (7/3) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: Developing your "inner game" of conflict management means you'll need to cultivate emotional integrity, self-awareness and a commitment to your own highest values, [Chism writes](. "Winning the inner game is about a commitment to your own development." [] [Read more]( from Marlene Chism on SmartBrief on Leadership [] Smarter Communication [] [How fatigue can damage your communication skills]( Make your communication with others more effective by being prepared before a meeting, and checking in with your own level of energy, says Muriel Wilkins, the co-founder of Paravis Partners, who recommends stepping back or rescheduling if you're tired, frustrated or angry. "For some people, it will make things worse for them to hear that their leader is stressed out or doesn't agree or is tired. And for others, it'll actually help humanize it, it'll make it better," Wilkins says. Full Story: [Harvard Business Review (tiered subscription model)]( (7/3) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: Leaders should keep in mind that they don't have to respond to everything someone says, and often need time to formulate a response or to decide whether or not a response is warranted, [Wilkins says](. "I take a breath before I respond to whatever I'm hearing and ask myself, 'is what I'm about to say proportional?'" Free eBooks and Resources Free eBooks and resources brought to you by our sponsors - [The Proof is Out There: Discover True Buyer-Level Intent Data]( - [70+ Excel Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows (Free Cheat Sheet)]( - [Social Media Tech Bootcamp Series]( - [11 Habits That Will Give You A Complete And Successful Life]( - [2023 Salary Guide for Marketing Professionals]( [] Smarter Strategy [] - [3 steps to sharpen your strategic thinking skills]( ThoughtLeaders (7/3) [] - [Use creativity to build resilience in uncertain times]( Global Peter Drucker Forum (7/3) [] - [How to use AI to enhance strategic skills]( INSEAD Knowledge (7/3) [] SmartPulse [] What are the biggest challenges your team faces when it comes to managing their time? Too many meetings 23.69% Too much email 11.85% Lack of clear priorities 18.42% Too much work to do 26.31% Failure to delegate effectively 6.14% Inability to say "no" 7.45% Something else 6.14% [] It's your job to prioritize. As the leader of your team, some of your team's time management challenges are controlled by you. Eighteen percent lack clear priorities. Setting priorities is your job. Too much work to do is because you don't have enough resources, and it's your job to try to secure them, and/or you're not telling them to hold off on performing low-priority work. Prioritization means saying "no" or at least "not yet" to tasks you don't have the resources for. Too many meetings can be improved too. Look at your own standing meetings. Are you managing by exception? Do you need to meet as frequently or for as long of a duration as you have them set up? Are your team members going to meetings for low-priority work but they don't feel like they can say "no" to attending? See if you can cut some time from the calendar by removing or reducing recurring meetings. Tell people holding other meetings that your team members can only attend when they have critical input -- stand up for their time. Many of your team's time management challenges can be abated with some focused effort on your part. -- Mike Figliuolo is managing director of [thoughtLEADERS](, which includes TITAN -- the firm's e-learning platform. Previously, he worked at McKinsey & Co., Capital One and Scotts Miracle-Gro. He is a West Point graduate and author of three leadership books: ["One Piece of Paper,"]( ["Lead Inside the Box"]( and ["The Elegant Pitch."]( [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] How well-compensated do your team members feel? [Vote]( [They feel like they're very well-compensated]( [Vote]( [They feel like they're fairly compensated]( [Vote]( [They feel like they're not competitively compensated]( [Vote]( [They feel like they're poorly compensated]( [] In Their Own Words [] [Winery CEO uses her imagination to overcome challenges]( The challenges of the wine industry can often feel overwhelming, says Domain Carneros CEO Remi Cohen, who reminds herself that present challenges will pass as new ones arrive. "When I am really conflicted, I pretend that I have made my decision and live with the imaginary outcome for a period of time to see how it feels. If I am relieved, I know it will be the right decision," Cohen notes. Full Story: [North Bay Business Journal (Santa Rosa, Calif.)]( (6/27) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Daily Diversion [] [Titan the dog gets his own air-conditioned house]( [Titan the dog gets his own air-conditioned house]( (ManWith2Dogs/TikTok) A TikTok video showing Titan -- aka DogTor -- a rescued Alaskan malamute, keeping cool during the Californian heat has attracted 2 million views and more than 104,000 likes. The clip shows Titan relaxing in his air-conditioned doghouse, built by his owner. Full Story: [Newsweek (tiered subscription model)]( (7/3) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Most Read by CEOs The most-clicked stories of the past week by SmartBrief on Leadership readers [] - [Are you a visionary leader? Use this list to see]( Fast Company (tiered subscription model) [] - [The Titan tragedy holds leadership lessons on risk]( LinkedIn [] - [How the "glass cliff" blocks female CEOs from success]( WRAL TechWire (Raleigh, N.C.) [] - [Feeling disconnected? You need some relational hydration]( Michael Lee Stallard blog [] - [Feeling rushed? You need to take time to make time]( Fast Company (tiered subscription model) [] SmartBrief Podcast Network [] [E-liability poised to revolutionize carbon accounting]( Environmental liability (E-liability) is a carbon accounting concept that offers a simple, accurate, and verifiable calculation for the total cradle-to-gate emissions of any product or service. Prof. Karthik Ramanna from the E-liability Institute and the University of Oxford explains the basics of E-liability and makes the case for why companies, standards setters and regulators all around the world should be familiarizing themselves with the concept as soon as possible. Full Story: [Sustainability SmartPod]( (6/22) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] SmartBreak: Question of the Day [] When Charles Henry Dow started his Dow Jones Average listing in 1884, how many of the stocks were of railroad companies? Check your answer [here](. [Vote]( [5]( [Vote]( [10]( [Vote]( [15]( [Vote]( [33]( [] Pets of SmartBrief Leaders [] Milo and Andy -- Furry stress relievers Milo and Andy -- Furry stress relievers (Heidi Buckley) Heidi Buckley sent in this photo of her two rescue pit bull mixes, Milo and Andy. "They offer comic and stress relief when needed, and the snuggles can't be beat," Heidi says. "Workdays are just better with the boys beside me!" I can see why! What non-human companions keep you company in your home office, or greet you when you come home from work? [Send me photos](mailto:candace.chellew@futurenet.com)! [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] About The Editor [] Candace Chellew Candace Chellew Chellew Hope everyone had a great Fourth of July holiday! As a dog caretaker, I spent much of the evening managing Paxton's anxiety, and frankly, I didn't sleep all that well because of the ongoing neighborhood firework shows. As a result, I'm tired this morning! I am a bit more aware of [Muriel Wilkins' advice](, then, about how fatigue can make our communication less effective. Her advice is solid -- to be cognizant of our own energy levels and how our tiredness can affect us, especially in group meetings and one-on-ones. If you're dragging a bit today, take time to read her advice! If, heaven forbid, conflict does arise today, or in the future, [keep Marlene Chism's advice handy]( on how to turn even difficult situations into positive growth experiences. If this newsletter helps you, please tell your colleagues, friends or anyone who can benefit. Forward them this email, or [send this link](. What topics do you see in your daily work that I should know about? Do you have praise? Criticism? [Drop me a note](mailto:candace.chellew@futurenet.com). And don't forget to send me photos of your pets, your office and where you spend your time off. [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( Sharing SmartBrief on Leadership with your network keeps the quality of content high and these newsletters free. Help Spread the Word [SHARE]( Or copy and share your personalized link: smartbrief.com/leadership/?referrerId=japnABMSAp [] [] We are all here to be a service to those who can't be a service to themselves. We can give people hope and more reasons for being human. 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