Like a scout, like a “spy” to manage conflicts in the workplace

I love the juicy storyline with dynamic characters and kick-ass action. Growing up I romanticized about the next Sidney Bristow in espionage. My martial arts kind of fulfilled that dream. I believe we can all take a page from spies like Lorraine Broughton, Ethan Hunt, Jason Bourne or James Bond and apply it to our work. Spying skills can help us better manage workplace conflicts and navigate difficult situations. My biggest takeaway from spies is intelligence (aka 'Recon'). Please don't confuse this approach to act in a mean and unethical way! 'Observations Recon' means surveying or researching an area in order to make discoveries.((Merriam-Webster Dictionary: reconnaissance)). I always want to prepare and learn as much as possible about the environment and the people I will encounter, especially at work. The degree of Recon mine will vary depending on what is at stake. For example, meeting a new supplier or client, dealing with a challenging behavior, meeting with a team, or going through a job interview. Take a different approach for a moment and think about your favorite spy character or superhero. What skills do they have that can help you gain specific insight into how to navigate conflict in the workplace. Here are the five essential spy skills you need to excel in your workplace and why they are useful for managing conflict.

1. Awareness

Awareness is defined as knowing that something exists or understanding a situation at present based on information or experience. ((Cambridge Dictionary: Awareness)) When resolving conflicts in the workplace:

  • What is your role in the conflict?
  • How much awareness do you have of the situation?
  • How do you react to other people's behavior?
  • How can you approach a situation intelligently and remain unbiased?
  • How much do you know and understand about the other side of the perspective?

Be self aware. Knowing yourself gives you valuable information about your strengths, development areas, and how others perceive you. How well you understand yourself and your interactions with others can limit or increase your influence and effectiveness as a leader. Here are some ways to boost your self-awareness:((centered on leadership: 4 ways to increase self-awareness ))

  • It takes time to reflect on your values, strengths, character traits, behaviors and experiences.
  • Understand how you interact with other people by giving specific feedback
  • Understand how others perceive you by asking questions about your reputation
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You need to take intentional action, make room for reflection, digest information, and learn how to receive critical feedback so that you can continue to develop yourself. This process takes time, commitment and practice. And your approach may change as you learn more about yourself. Organization is known. Knowing yourself and your surroundings, how your team and corporate culture will better help you prepare for unexpected situations. Make a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) or Pestle (Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal, Environmental) analysis of your situation or environment. Here are some questions to ask yourself when trying to understand your stakeholders and your company:

  • What are the parties trying to achieve?
  • What are the interests of the parties? How are the interests the same or different?
  • What are the business restrictions?

By understanding the people and environment in which your business operates, you will be better equipped to navigate complex workplace situations and manage conflict.

2. Build Relationships

Know who your allies are. When dealing with conflicts at work, talking to people you trust has a group of trusted advisors or mentors who can guide your difficult situation. Sometimes someone to be your target of the soundboard is all you need to see a new perspective on the situation. Build new relationships. Continue to build quality relationships that can help you strengthen your conflict management skills. Maybe you admire someone who deals with workplace conflicts with ease. What skills do they have? What is their approach? Perhaps meeting this person can help you learn more about their approach so you can develop your own conflict management style. Maintain existing relationships. Be sure to schedule time to chat with your current relationship. Continue to evaluate what you need from this relationship and how you can help each other succeed in your projects and careers.

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3. Change Management

Your ability to adapt to constant market changes in your work environment is essential. The better skilled you are in the turn, the better you will navigate difficult work situations. Being able to adjust to the ebb and flow of people's behavior and changing environment can better help you connect with others in times of uncertainty. Here are a few change management resources that can help you better understand people's emotions in times of change:

4. Professionalism

Having a certain level of business etiquette and grace in the workplace is key. And that covers interpersonal skills like active listening and non-verbal communication. Here are some key characteristics of professionalism to keep in mind:

  • Be on time
  • will be organized
  • Keep your cool
  • Get dressed
  • Be reliable and follow-cerez
  • Admit your mistakes and learn from them
  • Have good etiquette (eg verbal, non-verbal and written)

5. Special Skills

We each have our own set of lethal and targeted skills that can be used to navigate conflict in the workplace. Know what your strengths are, what feels natural to you, and know what gives you energy. Maybe yours is deep listening, communicating with clarity or negotiation. Take inventory of your skills. Which of these skills can you use during conflicts? How can you use these skills to resolve conflict?

Summing it up

What are some of your favorite TV shows or movies? Any of those characters that you identify with? Why? Whether it be Batman, Sherlock Holmes or Jason Bourne, there are skills we can learn from our favorite characters and apply at work. The five key espionage skills you need to excel in your workplace and conflict management are:

  1. Conscious and prepare
  2. Build relationship
  3. Change management
  4. Professionalism
  5. Special Skills

Approach conflict with a sense of curiosity, asking questions to understand the situation. It can reduce stress and fear. An open and unbiased discussion can lead to a simplistic approach to conflict resolution.

Additional work skills for a successful career

  • 17 Versatile Job Skills That Will Get More Career Opportunities
  • 17 professional skills to equip yourself for a successful career
  • 10 Essential Skills That Will Help You Advance Your Career
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