Conflict coaching is a form of conflict resolution that focuses on helping individuals develop the skills they need to address conflicts effectively. It is highly valuable to businesses as it helps to ensure employees devote maximum energy to productive work instead of destructive conflict. It also produces a range of valuable corollary benefits.
Here are four of the main ways that investing in conflict coaching can help to improve your business.
Reduced stress and improved job satisfaction
Unresolved conflicts in the workplace can negatively impact employees’ stress levels and job satisfaction. Conflicts can create a toxic work environment, causing employees to feel anxious, frustrated and disengaged. When conflicts are left unresolved, they can escalate, causing more significant problems and damaging the morale of the team.
Conflict coaching can help reduce stress and improve job satisfaction by teaching employees the skills they need to address conflicts effectively. Through conflict coaching, employees can learn how to identify and manage their emotions during conflicts, avoid getting caught up in the drama and develop positive coping strategies. By learning these skills, employees can reduce the negative impact that conflicts can have on their stress levels and hence improve their job satisfaction.
Conflict coaching can also help employees feel more empowered and self-assured when dealing with conflicts. By developing effective communication, negotiation and problem-solving skills, employees can increase their confidence and resilience when facing conflicts. This increased sense of control and confidence can lead to a more positive outlook and higher levels of job satisfaction.
Lower stress levels and increased job satisfaction can have positive effects on the entire workplace. Employees who experience less stress and greater job satisfaction tend to be more productive, engaged and dedicated to their work, which can lead to better teamwork, increased morale and an overall positive work environment. On the other hand, when employees are stressed and unhappy, they are more likely to make errors, miss deadlines and take time off from work. This will have a negative impact on the organisation.
Enhanced relationships with colleagues and clients
Unresolved conflicts in the workplace can damage relationships between employees and clients. When conflicts are left unresolved, they can create a negative and hostile environment that can affect the overall quality of work and lead to a decline in professional relationships. Miscommunication, misunderstandings and differences in personality can all contribute to conflicts and can damage relationships over time.
Conflict coaching can equip employees with the skills necessary to communicate effectively, manage conflicts and foster positive relationships with colleagues and clients. By undergoing conflict coaching, employees can learn to listen actively, appreciate different perspectives and work collaboratively towards shared objectives. These skills can help employees establish trust and respect with their colleagues and clients, resulting in improved professional relationships.
Enhanced relationships with colleagues and clients can benefit both employees and the workplace. When employees have positive relationships with their colleagues and clients, they are more likely to feel engaged, motivated and committed to their work. They are also more likely to feel supported and valued, which can lead to higher levels of job satisfaction and reduce the risk of turnover.
In addition, enhanced relationships can lead to better teamwork and collaboration, which can improve productivity, creativity and problem-solving skills. When employees feel comfortable communicating and working with their colleagues and clients, they are more likely to share their ideas, give feedback and seek help when needed. This can lead to a more positive and productive work environment overall.
Increased productivity
When conflicts remain unresolved in the workplace, they can have a negative impact on productivity by creating tension, lowering morale and distracting employees from their work. Employees may spend time avoiding conflict or engaging in counterproductive behaviours related to the conflict, such as gossiping or complaining to others. As a result, productivity can suffer, leading to missed deadlines and reduced quality of work.
Conflict coaching can help employees work together more effectively and efficiently by providing them with the tools and strategies they need to manage conflict and communicate effectively. Employees can learn how to recognise the early signs of conflict, de-escalate tense situations and negotiate win-win solutions. Additionally, conflict coaching can help employees develop a better understanding of their own communication styles and preferences, which can help them work more effectively with others.
Conflict coaching can enable employees to identify the root causes of conflict, such as differences in values, priorities or personality. By addressing these underlying factors, employees can collaborate more effectively and minimise the likelihood of future conflicts. Moreover, conflict coaching can enhance employees’ empathy and understanding of others, thereby promoting teamwork and collaboration.
Improved communication skills
Conflict coaching can help employees develop a range of communication skills that can be applied in many different situations. For instance, conflict coaching can teach employees how to listen actively and attentively to others, express themselves more clearly and assertively and demonstrate empathy and understanding towards others.
Conflict coaching can teach employees essential communication skills such as active listening, which entails paying close attention to the other person’s perspective and demonstrating an interest in what they are saying. Employees can also learn how to clarify misunderstandings and summarise what they have heard. Assertiveness is another crucial communication skill that involves expressing one’s own needs and opinions while also considering those of others. Conflict coaching can enable employees to assert themselves more effectively, utilise “I” statements instead of “you” statements and avoid blaming or accusing others.
Empathy is yet another critical communication skill that involves understanding and appreciating the emotions and feelings of others. Through conflict coaching, employees can learn how to recognise and validate the emotions of others, express empathy and understanding and show genuine concern for others.
By developing these communication skills, employees can benefit in various ways. For example, they can become more effective communicators, resolve conflicts more efficiently and build stronger relationships with colleagues and clients. Additionally, improved communication skills can also help employees become better listeners, collaborators and problem-solvers, which can ultimately enhance their job performance and contribute to a more positive work environment.
Author Bio
Scott Mclver is the Marketing Manager at UK Mediation, who train both individuals and groups in mediation skills and provides external mediation services for those who want to resolve conflict quickly and without the need for formal action.