One approach to conflict/issues/differences is to simply ignore it. The reality is the situation will not get better if left unaddressed. It will usually get worse. One thing that will never work is complaining about the worker, either to the worker or worse yet to others. Here is my favorite idea I share with anyone in the face of conflict. Go to your local market or dollar store and get yourself your very own box of Q-Tips. Keep one in your pocket, in your workstation, in the car, wherever you face your greatest challenges or temptations with conflict. Whether you are the leader/manager or the employee in the heat of the conflict, grab your Q-Tip in your pocket and hold on tight. Keep saying,
Quit Taking It Personally!
It will help you:
- Stay calm and remember: it’s not personal
- Be aware of the attitude you are projecting
- Show willingness to resolve the problem or conflict
- Find some truth in what the others are saying
- Find out what they really want
Investopedia’s article, Managing Varied Generations In The Workplace gives some additional tips to create workplace harmony.
Tips for Inter-Generational Harmony As with many issues of workplace diversity, it’s important that all the members of your organization learn to work together harmoniously, creating an environment of mutual respect. This can be done through allowing your employees to build functional workplace relationships, creating a sense of understanding and acceptance of generational differences. Try to focus on the end result rather than how you get there. Be open to the idea of letting the Generation X staff work from home on occasion, or create open workspaces that allow Generation Y staff work collaboratively with their team. Allow Traditionalists and Baby Boomers to work modified work schedules or part-time hours in order to allow them the flexibility of semi-retirement, or have them take on mentorship roles with the younger staff so that they can share their experience and wisdom with emerging team members. Create a feedback loop that will allow staff members to be open and honest with one another, and let your team members know that the organization values diverse perspectives, regardless of age. Keep in mind that people from different generations like to communicate differently, so allow for a variety of communication tools within the office, everything from face-to-face meetings, email, telephone, or even social media or instant messaging.
Now some of the ideas expressed in this article may have you bristling. You are not alone, ask yourself these questions:
- How important is this? To me? To the worker(s) involved?
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- Can I just handle the conflict with a simple statement like: “You could be right” or are there deeper issues involved?
- Is it something that I can change or do to make this situation better?
- If there is something that I can do to resolve this and if so, why have I not done it?
- Are there triggers from my past relationships/experiences that are causing me to project into this situation?
- What are some steps that I can take to make this situation better?
- Do I need to seek outside help to resolve this?
Every person brings something to the table, and those from different generations bring with them their experiences from the past – with each person having learned something unique from the issues that were present during each specific time period.
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