With more than 20 years of working with leaders at various levels within various organizations, I had an epiphany several years ago: Almost every conflict that escalates, from EEOC complaints, unwanted turnover and lack of engagement all the way to a toxic work environment, can be traced back to this: A conversation that should have happened but did not. The result is a culture of avoidance.
Conflict avoidance stems from believing conflict is a problem. But conflict is not a problem. Mismanagement is the problem.
Here are three common reasons leaders mismanage conflict and how to make the shift.
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