Taking Conflict To The Fifth Level

DELICIOUS
EMAIL A FRIEND

X

Email to a Friend

Please fill out the following information and click submit

Friend's Name

Friend's Email

Your Name

Your Email

Comments

 

Submit

Sending Email...

Thank You! Your email has been sent.

Bob & Lyn Turknett

November 11, 2008

Question: This is a difficult time for my business. I know that we need to move quickly to take advantage of every opportunity in this tough economy, but people are tense and there's more conflict than usual on the leadership team. I don't want to put my head in the sand, but how do I get conflicts resolved as quickly as possible so they don't get in the way?     - Carlos S.

Lyn's Answer: Conflict in the workplace is one of the toughest challenges, Carlos, because often we feel our jobs, and security, are at risk. The economic downturn exacerbates the conflict, and also increases the need to face it.

Harvard University professor Robert Kegan can help explain why. He has a theory of stages of maturity that is powerful and inspiring. From infant behavior at level one, through the fully-evolved adult at level five, he shines a light on how we manage conflict. A University of Georgia professor and Turknett associate, Karl Kuhnert, has adapted the theory to describe levels of leadership maturity, and it matches up in very interesting ways. A Level Two leader, for example, may initiate conflict for self-serving reasons, to reach their own goals. (Have you ever had a boss that acted just like a bully on the playground?) For a Level Three leader, conflict is difficult because, similar to the self-conscious adolescent, he or she is very concerned about what others will think. As leaders mature to Level Four they understand the need for differing opinions and feel certain enough of their own values to deal with conflicting views. At the highest level, Level Five, crisis or conflict is viewed as an opportunity for rapid growth and change.

The huge crisis in our economy we are all facing right now is a good illustration. This crisis could provoke significant positive change. The most effective way for our government to stimulate the economy is to listen to many different voices and garner the best information and advice, and that means encouraging conflicting or differing perspectives and opinions.

In the face of challenges or conflict it is tempting to avoid, gloss over, or hunker down - believe me, all leaders have that temptation, Carlos. It is a natural response to either fight or retreat when we are challenged. But higher level thinking and leading is essential for getting to a better place.

Bob's Answer: I think we can learn a lot from the current economic meltdown. Level Five leaders will actually initiate conflict or crisis when change is needed to avert total failure and stimulate solutions.

Every crisis, small or large, creates opportunities for real change. Right now, those financial institutions (i.e: banks), that are able to look to the future and "focus on the whole" will lead from this crisis with a plan that leads to sustainable growth and future prosperity.

With the right leadership, a global economic meltdown is not a foregone conclusion; rather, it is a timely crisis that can stimulate a transformation - a transformation that can have long-term implications for our country and world's future. Level Five leadership is what's needed for finding solutions to this global financial crisis. And it is also needed for individual leaders in every industry, like yourself.
Carlos, if you can shift to a Level Four or Level Five perspective, instead of avoiding the conflict, or rushing to resolve it, you can use the conflict to lead your company towards the next growth opportunity.

Lyn: Level Four leaders understand that to move forward they must recognize, listen to, and coordinate conflicting perspectives. At Level Five, leaders understand that they might actually learn from those who disagree with them.

Related Articles:

• Inside Irrational Decisions
  Are behavioral biases causing you to stumble with your long-term decisions?
• Do You Need A Confidentiality Agreement?
  If you need to disclose sensitive information, here’s how to protect yourself.
• Optimize Your Real Estate
  How to offset your expenses in tough economic times
• The Attributes of Cultural Leadership
  Leaders who understand their surroundings will succeed …