In nearly every workplace, conflict is almost inevitable. From power dynamics to scheduling to competition for promotions and perks, there is a certain amount of conflict that is difficult to avoid. At the same time, however, the highest levels of success for a company, and for its employees, are achieved through teamwork and collaboration. Leadership development in today’s office is less about individual “star power” or projecting a tough “boss” image than it is about becoming a leader who encourages the best work from a group of stars by using coaching skills to encourage an atmosphere of collective problem-solving and cooperative achievement.
The best leaders help build a collaborative environment that benefits all employees and the company’s long-term well-being. Managers should act like the coach of a team, not the captain of a ship. They must be sincerely committed to employees’ personal growth by asking the right questions, setting a good example and communicating that they are continually looking for ways to be better leaders.
Here are three of the benefits of using coaching skills in the workplace to minimize disputes.
1. Coaching values each individual contributor.
Coaching helps each member of the team improve his or her leadership skills. The managers use coaching to get to know every member of their team and learn how they can help produce a solid, dynamic workplace. Great coaches bring their team members together to strategize and develop new solutions for ongoing problems.
When things are challenging at the office – for instance, if an employee begins to act verbally abusive – a great leader coaches difficult employees to help them understand the causes of their damaging behaviors and interact more positively and productively as part of a team.
2. Coaching emphasizes the common ground and goals of the team.
Sometimes, the workplace can seem like a zero-sum game, especially when promotions are up for grabs. Establishing a clear accountability structure enables managers to coach employees and help them develop leadership skills. By emphasizing that all members of the team win when they achieve goals and complete projects successfully, coaching will help prevent the disputes that arise when healthy competition spills over into verbal harassment and other divisive behavior. Through coaching, managers can help teams come together, understand their common tasks and challenges, and take the next steps toward developing individual and group strengths.
3. Coaching creates a positive environment for creative team thinking.
Great athletic coaches are leaders who are able to create true creative synergy on their team. Coaches in the office can help staff members recognize problems and develop solutions individually. When conflict repeatedly arises around the same issue, coaches help foster an environment that welcomes new ideas and collective thinking to create solutions that address concerns productively.
Bottom Line: “Move the players” for successful change.
Sometimes, friction develops when people play a role that does not align with their skills, become over-burdened with a heavy workload, or are assigned excessive management duties and pulled away from the work they do best and value most. Coaches can work with these employees to recognize problems and create pathways that lead toward professional development and success. At the same time, they don’t hesitate to encourage promising workers to pursue leadership opportunities as they emerge.
The best achievements in the office, just like those on the field, are accomplished when great players work together to make dreams a reality. By developing coaching skills, leaders can not only help resolve disputes but also build an atmosphere for group success and strength.
Riya Sander writes for Carter Capner Law, a progressive, innovative and strongly motivated law firm based in Queensland, Australia. Follow her on Twitter.
