How to Be Awesome at Your Job 155: Managing Defensiveness for Stronger Collaborations with Jim Tamm
May 15, 2017
Jim Tamm, a former judge and expert in collaboration skills, delves into the art of managing defensiveness for more effective teamwork. He highlights the three key drivers of defensiveness and shares how cultivating curiosity rather than anger can transform workplace dynamics. With his extensive experience mediating labor disputes, he offers insights on turning conflict into collaboration and the power of emotional intelligence in adversarial situations. Tamm encourages listeners to develop self-awareness and a positive mindset for better interactions.
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Defensiveness Destroys Collaboration
- Defensiveness is the single biggest driver of workplace conflict and poor problem solving.
- When people get defensive their IQ drops ~20 points and collaboration collapses into litigation or stalemate.
California Training Cut Conflict Dramatically
- Jim helped California school districts reduce conflict and increase trust through training.
- The program cut litigation and conflict measures by about 70% and raised trust by 50%.
Mediating Massive School Strikes
- Jim mediated more U.S. school-district labor strikes than anyone else and recalls major community impacts.
- He described strikes where tens of thousands of students were displaced for weeks, harming neighborhoods and learning.
