How to Avoid Conflict as a Manager

2min Snip

00:00

Play full episode

Summary

Transcript

Episode notes

Kelsey: Getting directives without any explanation kind of violates a basic rule of management. Kelsey: Being able to blame somebody else was the ultimate way to avoid conflict. "It's like, you can be mad. This is a bad situation, but you know, it's not my fault," she says.

People management consists of a fair amount of mediation and diplomacy, and you can’t expect to get the hang of it right away. You’re in the middle of a lot now. Initiating difficult conversations, and then getting all the way through them, takes planning and practice (and sometimes even a breather). Holding tension takes restraint.

Amy B and Kelsey interview Amy G about the types of conflict that new managers should expect to handle, as well as options for responding. They talk through real experiences and common scenarios. Like that time Kelsey needed to tell a direct report they were falling short of her expectations (but didn’t end up saying anything). Or that time Amy G started reporting to a friend. They also give guidance for intervening or not when team members are arguing and for discreetly clueing your group in about the office politics going on.

Resources: