Conflict's Consequences

Enough said?

We've set out conflict so you can see what it looks like. And hopefully you've thought about what your preferred style is? Next week we'll provide you a tool to assess your style and gauge what you're really like.

And we're asking you to do these things so you can make that all important comparison. Please think about your style now - before you get the answer - we're sure you'll find the answer revealing.

But before we go, here's a final thought about handling conflict and what it means for YOU in patricular.

Whether you're working with customers or your staff, as owner your position and power results in pre-conceptions.

Right or wrong, the people you serve and work with every day anticipate conflict with you because of who you are. So before the get-go you're disadvantaged because people are expecting you to take advantage of them.

So what? Well, if they're expecting a 'difficult' time, they'll feel anxious. So they'll exagerate what they say a bit more. To you they'll appear 'pushy'. To them you'll appear 'hard'. Is actual conflict more likely as a result?

You have to compensate. You have to win them over. You have to put them at ease and convince them you're not what they expect. The issue is, you can't do this through words. You'd never say "you're right, I am out to take advantage of you" would you? So anything you say about your integrity and honesty is, being frank, meaningless.

But, there are things you can do. There are things that clearly show customers and staff they have no reason to be worried. It's said 'actions speak louder than words' and if ever it were true this is the time. The question is, what are the actions?

Well, we've already blogged on these issues before - for different reasons. And in those blogs we've been clear on the course of action to take. To find out, see "How to Tell Customers to Trust and Buy from You" and for staff "Real Teamwork". Take a look and see what you can do. It's easier than you may think. And the results are truely powerful.