I Don't Like Conflict. Well Who Does?
To which I just shake my head.
In all my working life (over thirty years), I have never met someone who says, 'well I love a bit of conflict to make my day'. Have you?
Of course not! So why does everyone use this phrase as the reason for not dealing with issues?
Because unfortunately, we accept this as a valid reason when it is actually just an excuse, and a poor one at that.
And if you're reading this and thinking, 'that's too harsh', then remember the last time you avoided dealing with an issue then and there because your response was 'you don't like conflict'. What was the result?
I bet you it was one of these:
• Avoiding the issue created a bigger issue which blew up down the track
• You lost a good staff member because they were sick of the poor performer getting away with murder so they left
• Mistakes keep costing you time, students and money (real, potential or through rework)
• Morale within your team dropped and was replaced with frustration
So how's avoiding the 'conflict' working for you?
It's not, is it?
When I help RTO CEOS/Managers and their teams solve the problems costing their RTO time and money, it usually hinges around
• Lack or inappropriate communication
• Little or no documented systems about how we do things at RTO XYZ
• Agreeing to or approving things when there is no authority to do so
• Promising to do something and never doing it ie all talk and no action
• Letting people get away with not doing everything that's required in their job
• Fixing mistakes instead of training the person in what to do next time
• Making the fun or feel good decisions and forcing others to deal with the bad or uncomfortable ones because you don't want to
• Believing some positions (eg trainers) are more important, and easier to do, than others
• Rewarding those who complain rather than those who work hard
But here's the kicker.
All of these issues could have been prevented by firstly having documented systems, and then secondly, addressing any transgressions as soon as they happen rather than waiting for a better time (which is code for never because the thought pattern is 'if I leave it alone, it will resolve itself').
Which is sooo incorrect.
W Edwards Deming said, '94% of all failure is because of the system, not the people'.
When I dig deep into problems and how they have come about, the majority of communication and thus people problems could have been solved by documenting 3 key systems:
1. Clarity of the role – what each person should and should not do in their position, usually in a position description.
2. Delegations – outline what a person can and can't do in their position which includes decision making boundaries.
3. The 'How To' Manual outlining the steps for each task undertaken in each position.
Now think again about the 'conflict' situation you have avoided in the past.
Did you have any documented systems which clearly addressed what should've been done in that situation?
If this answer is No, then that's your homework because telling someone is not the answer.
It only increases the chance of misunderstanding, whereas information/procedures written down, in simple language which anyone can understand, ensures excuses such as 'I didn't know' or 'I didn't understand' cannot be accepted (after you have of course trained them in these procedures).
If you did have documented systems, then were they followed? If not, why not?
As long as change management and training are part of the systems implementation process, there are only two reasons people don't follow systems:
1. They need more training which is easily solved with more training.
2. They make a CHOICE not to follow the approved and documented systems which is an immediate performance management conversation.
And here's my final thought
So the next time you or someone in your team says they didn't address something because 'they don't like conflict', ask them this question, 'so how's that working for you?' and see what the response is because accountability and responsibility are essential for business success.
And remember Michael Gerber's famous quote: People come and go but the systems remain.
Cheers
Tamara Simon - Australia's Most Experienced RTO Business Coach
Helping RTOs and their teams realise their untapped opportunities
P.S. If you're looking for professional development and coaching to help you grow your business which isn't about compliance, then please head to my website to find out how I can solve your problems, simplify your operations and increase your profits.
- Solve Problems
For over twenty five years, she's been providing overwhelmed RTO Owners, CEOs and Managers (and their teams) with CLARITY about what's WRONG, what's POSSIBLE and what's NEXT so they can grow a simple profitable business.
To find out more about Tamara Simon and her free and paid professional development (which isn't focused on compliance) to help you run your business including her RTO GROW Program, the 'MUST DO' PD Program for anyone running or wanting to run an RTO, check out her website.
http://www.takeanotherlook.com.au
Inside, you'll discover the 5 proven strategies to go from feeling BURNTOUT to BACK in CONTROL.