Do you work with people who only see the negative aspects of life?
Have you ever worked with someone who seems to consistently focus on challenges or drawbacks?
Have you ever felt like a colleague’s negativity was hindering your team’s progress?
How does this make you feel?
We all know that colleague. The one who starts every sentence with “but” and seems to find a problem in every solution. Working with someone like this can be incredibly draining.
I remember a lady I managed, who in every meeting would look at the negative points and begin each sentence with “but”. Every time she opened her mouth I would think, “What’s she going to complain about now?” She irritated me so much that I would avoid taking a break in the kitchen if I saw her there.
This negativity is contagious, impacting not just your mood, but also your team’s productivity. Remember, ‘Behaviour breeds behaviour’, and negativity causes a downward spiral that often we do not realise until it is too late.
I get it! I’ve been there…
Conflict is detrimental to everyone. People get frustrated, relationships become toxic, attitudes are negative, and the culture is affected.
When this happens, always remember: to be successful in the workplace, optimism and positivity are particularly important. When negativity dominates, conflict becomes a minefield.
That’s why I’m passionate about helping leaders navigate conflict. I’ve developed effective techniques to address these challenges in a positive and constructive way, leading to a more harmonious and productive work environment.
And this is so pertinent because the research is clear (Scheier & Carver, 1992). Optimism fuels collaborative conflict resolution, fostering a productive and successful work environment. Optimistic thinkers:
- Cope better with stress. They see obstacles as opportunities, fostering a solution-focused approach.
- Become more resilient. They bounce back from setbacks and view challenges as temporary.
- Enjoy better health. Lower blood pressure and stronger immune systems aid stress management.
- Have strong social support. They build positive networks that offer encouragement and assistance.
Leaders are responsible for setting the tone. Here’s a 3-Step Plan to start to cultivate optimism in your team:
- Even when faced with difficulties, remain calm, solution-oriented, and optimistic. Your attitude is contagious.
- Shift the focus to solutions, celebrate victories (big and small), and reframe negative experiences as learning opportunities.
- Promote collaboration, open communication, and teamwork. Encourage team members to learn from each other and celebrate each other’s successes.
Consider a team meeting where a disagreement suddenly surfaces. This time, the atmosphere is different. Optimism fuels a collaborative brainstorming session. Ideas flow freely, building upon each other. A creative solution emerges, propelling the project forward. This is the power of optimism in action. By fostering a positive outlook on conflict, you empower your team to achieve remarkable things.
Leaders and managers, are you struggling with team conflict in your organisation? Is team conflict costing you results? Then, let’s discover proven solutions to resolve the issues and build a stronger team. Schedule a virtual coffee with me and let’s chat.
Optimism, Optimistic, Team Conflict, Collaboration, Productivity, Team management, Team empowerment