Written by: Yvette Durazo, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Conflict can appear everywhere, but it's more challenging and delicate when money complex parties are involved. It’s time to stop looking for solutions to conflicts in the workplace from an outdated mindset, it’s time to get creative. Let’s look at the science of showers?
Showers at work? No, I’m not suggesting actual showers, but the science of the shower can provide a useful framework for finding creative solutions to workplace conflicts. By understanding and applying the principles of fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, and the properties of water and soap, individuals and organizations can effectively resolve conflicts and restore harmony in the workplace. Wash away the grit and build-up conflict has created and make a fresh start.
Here are things you could learn from showering that would help you with resolving conflict in a formal setting.
What’s The Dirt? Identify and address the underlying causes of conflicts.
Just as the principles of fluid dynamics in the shower help to distribute and flow water effectively, it is important to identify and address the underlying causes of conflicts to resolve them effectively. This may involve finding ways to improve communication and understanding between individuals, as well as addressing any structural or organizational issues that may be contributing to the conflict.
For example, if two coworkers disagree, it may be helpful to identify the root cause of the conflict. Is it a misunderstanding of each other's perspectives or goals? Is it a lack of clear communication or conflicting priorities? By understanding the underlying cause of the conflict, it may be possible to find a solution that addresses these underlying issues and resolves the conflict in a more lasting and effective way.
The Right Temperature: Pay attention to the emotional and psychological temperature of conflicts.
Just as the temperature of the water in a shower can affect how effectively it cleans and how it feels to the person using it, it is important to pay attention to the emotional and psychological temperature of conflicts in the workplace. By finding ways to dissipate negative emotions and create a sense of mutual understanding and respect, it may be possible to resolve conflicts more effectively.
For example, if two coworkers have a heated argument, it may be helpful to take a step back and allow both parties to cool off before attempting to resolve the conflict. By creating a space for open and honest communication, and by finding ways to listen actively and empathize with each other's perspectives, it may be possible to dissipate negative emotions and create a more constructive and productive atmosphere for resolving conflicts.
Clean Up: Address underlying issues and dissipate negative emotions.
Just as water and soap work together to lift and remove oils and grease from the skin, finding ways to address underlying issues and dissipate negative emotions can help to resolve conflicts and restore harmony in the workplace. Techniques such as negotiation, mediation, or conflict resolution training can be useful tools for finding mutually beneficial solutions.
For example, by using these tools, it is possible to find solutions that address the underlying causes of conflicts, and that meet the needs and goals of all parties involved. This can help to restore a sense of collaboration and teamwork in the workplace and create a more positive and harmonious environment.
Cool It Down: Do not address conflict when things are hot.
When hot water touches your skin, the natural response is pain, but your body adjusts to the temperature with time, and it slowly begins to feel normal. The same is the case if you come in contact with a cold temperature, but that is the beauty. Our body adapts, and we get to enjoy the beauty of strange feelings after we take the time to adapt to them. In the same vein, do not address issues between heated parties immediately. Sometimes, you might have to, but that should only happen when absolutely necessary.
Humans are hard-wired to strive towards maintaining a positive reputation before everyone. It’s why we make decisions based on emotions but then justify the choice with logic. If you correct anybody when their emotions are still high, they will most likely be defensive about their choices. In other words, if your goal is to bring peace by letting both parties learn from their errors and showing them how they could do better next time, wait till the emotions die off. Let the body adapt to the temperature first, before you try to point out how things could be better handled.
Singing In the Shower: Promote open and honest communication and a culture of trust.
By promoting open and honest communication and encouraging employees to express their thoughts and feelings constructively and respectfully, it is possible to create a culture of trust and mutual understanding that can help to prevent conflicts from arising in the first place. Like the freedom to sing in the shower, feeling safe to express oneself lends to the harmony. This can help to foster a sense of collaboration and teamwork that can contribute to a more positive and harmonious workplace.
In addition to promoting open and honest communication, it is also important to create an environment where employees feel safe and supported in expressing their thoughts and feelings. This may involve providing resources and support for employees to address conflicts and conflict resolution training to help them develop the skills and tools needed to resolve conflicts effectively.
Dry Off
By understanding and applying the principles of the science of the shower to the resolution of workplace conflicts, individuals and organizations can find creative and effective ways to overcome challenges and achieve greater harmony and productivity.
By using tools such as active listening, open and honest communication, and problem-solving techniques, it is possible to find mutually beneficial solutions that can benefit all parties involved and create a more positive and harmonious workplace.
It is beautiful that we can always look at the most mundane of places and pick up vital lessons. Repetition is the mother of conviction, so let your mind ponder on these tips whenever you shower. That is how you make these approaches your natural response whenever conflict arises.
Yvette Durazo, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Yvette Durazo, MA, ACC is the author of the book Conflict Intelligence Quotient (Conflict IQ™); The Missing Piece to Turbocharge Conscious Leaders’ and Organizations’ Emotional Intelligence. She is the founder and principal consultant at Unitive Consulting, a workplace organizational effectiveness, strategic conflict management, and leadership development firm. Some of her services included, training, mediating conflicts in the workplace, anti-bullying prevention, settlement negotiations, developing dispute system design, and bringing unique strategies to address the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) workplace.
She is passionate about optimizing professionals and teams to engage in constructive problem-solving communication toward instilling respect, civility, and collaboration. She believes that human conflict is one of the most important things organizations must learn to work with and harness to overcome any derailing of employees’ performance and engagement. Her methodologies are like a vitamin that is the breath of life to the immunity of organizations.
Presently, Yvette is an instructor for the Human Resource Management Certification program at the University of California, Santa Clara Extension Silicon Valley. She also is an instructor for the University of California Davis, Conflict Resolution Program and teaches for Portland State University in the Conflict Resolution and Mediation department. She holds a PCC coaching credential from the International Coach Federation, a master’s degree in Conflict Resolution, Negotiation, and Peacebuilding from California State University Dominguez Hills, and an undergraduate degree in International Business from San Diego State University. She is a former Core Adjunct Professor at National University, where she taught courses in Alternative Dispute Resolution, Mediation, and Communication for over six years, and a former Instructor for the Leon Guanajuato Mexico Institution Power of Justice. Yvette is fully bilingual in Spanish and has expertise in cultural diversity and inclusion.
