If you are listening to research coming from the Neurosciences (Brain Science) and how it relates to the complexity of today’s work environment, you will understand that it is your electro-magnetic neuro-chemical energy that creates your mindset. For a positive mindset you must create a positive energy flow within you and around you; and it is this positive mindset that is necessary to create a productive and healthy team that meets high levels of performance.
It is worth noting however, that this positive mindset among leaders and team members does not mean the absence of conflict and confrontation. On the contrary, a culture that embraces collaboration and connection welcomes constructive conflict and confrontation. The operative word here is constructive, as this kind of conflict or confrontation is purposeful and helps the team in several ways, such as building commitment, talking candidly about challenges, revealing points of behaviour and performance weakness, and examining solutions and new approaches.
Furthermore, constructive confrontation and conflict reveal authenticity – there is no “fake it to make it” in relationships… and trust can grow significantly as a result. Even so, this constructive type of conflict and confrontation makes the best of us anxious, and often we avoid engaging these situations for various reasons.
One reason might be that these situations force you to be accountable. At the core of conflict or confrontation within a team is the question: “Are you doing what you promised to do?” This “promise keeping” question is intended to keep the team members honest so that they can maintain focus, take personal responsibility, manage behaviour, and achieve their goal. The problem with this question is that (1) no one likes to ask it, and (2) no one likes to be asked it; And, in the absence of trust and authenticity, the question can make people feel really pressured and judged.
Another reason might be because conflict and confrontation give you honest feedback. You are more emboldened during a conflict or a confrontation, and thus more likely to speak your mind about the person with whom you are in conflict or about the situation over which you have a problem. This feedback can reveal to you how other people experience you through your behaviour and how that experience influences their perception of you.
Learning the skill of Positive Presence and practicing the skill of Positive Presence will equip you with the necessary behaviour and thought habits to ensure you can successfully navigate even the most difficult conflict and confrontation.
Catherine is the President and CEO of CORPORATE HARMONY, providing virtual solutions for leadership development and organizational culture change. Her leadership and coaching experience as a Project Manager in an ever-changing, fast moving technological organization with unrelenting demands drove her to the realization that a positive mindset and strength-building behaviors are essential for today’s complex and chaotic organizational systems. CORPORATE HARMONY’s virtual platform of programs, coaching and performance measurement, is an innovative online technology of tested proprietary content. The world-class content of CORPORATE HARMONY’s Positive Presence Program develops the skill of ‘Positive Presence’ and the necessary ‘Positive Presence Behaviour Competencies’ for maintaining a positive and energized mindset and increased performance in today’s complex work environment, and leading to a culture of collaboration and connection. Catherine’s vision for Corporate Harmony is to bring the skill of “Positive Presence” to the corporate world as it becomes more complex, ambiguous and chaotic. Catherine is uniquely positioned to impact organizations’ productivity and long term success, with her powerful vision of eliminating bad stress from every workplace around the globe, bringing purpose into the people equation to promote healthy, productive and meaningful work cultures and turn the tide on the neglect of mental health on a global scale. Catherine is author of the book: “CORPORATE HARMONY – The Performance Link for Today’s Modern Organization” Catherine can be reached at: Catherine.Osborne@corporateharmony.ca or go to ‘contact us’ on our website www.corporateharmony.ca. Catherine is available for consultation, and can be reached by 519-695-3407.