Is your team or relationship plagued by conflict debt?
Conflict debt is the accumulation of unresolved issues hanging over us because we choose to avoid the discomfort of addressing them. Sound familiar?
This buildup of conflict debt takes a toll on team performance because it leaves us feeling weighed down, distracted, and anxious when we need to be productive, innovative and engaged.
Avoidance is the primary reason behind conflict debt—a silent killer within team dynamics. While it’s perfectly normal to feel averse to challenging conversations, avoiding them only exacerbates the issue.
The remedy is, well, courage. Just 15 minutes of courage can be the catalyst needed to initiate those tough conversations and prevent conflict debt from ballooning even further.
Here are some self-reflection questions you can use to help you find your courage right when you need it…
What am I most afraid will happen when I have this conversation?
How might I prepare for the things I’m worried could go wrong in the conversation?
How will having this tough conversation help me, the other person, and the team?
What happens if I don’t have the conversation?
By considering these questions, individuals can confront issues constructively. Remember, avoiding tough discussions only perpetuates conflict debt, whereas facing them head-on fosters growth, understanding, and stronger team dynamics.
Interested in Training? At Slingshot25, we know that tough conversations are not easy, and most leaders do not get training to hold them effectively. That’s why we developed our Tough Conversations that Move People Forwardcourse. This one-day course gives leaders the skills they need to enter every challenging conversation with confidence. Don’t worry—there are no complex processes to memorize or embarrassing role-play activities required.
Learn more about this class here: https://slingshot25.com/courses/tough-conversations-that-move-people-forward/