When conflict arises between staff, with stakeholders or ratepayers many managers and team leaders hope and pray it will just go away. It rarely does. All too frequently we see examples of minor conflicts blowing up and causing major productivity and morale problems for individuals and organisations.
These conflicts range from simply having differing points of view, to the more serious situations where one or both parties feel intimidated, harassed, scared or otherwise unable to deal with something that is rapidly getting out of hand. In an increasingly litigious society mediation provides the opportunity for organisations to solve problems internally without recourse to expensive processes using legal or government agencies.
In learning simple skills to enable them to conduct an effective mediation, managers and team leaders can assist those in conflict to identify issues underpinning conflicts, develop strategies to address these issues and create agreements which enable the parties to the conflict to work harmoniously together in the future.
In some mediation processes the parties agree to disagree but establish strategies so that they can at least work together without continuing the conflict. However most mediations result in significant behavioural change by the parties. By providing training in mediation skills, Local Government can manage the organisation’s risk, as well as establish a timely and cost effective way of reducing conflict thereby improving morale and productivity.
People Matters provides mediation and mediation skills training and can be contacted on (03) 98188322 or visit www.peoplematters.com.au.
* Copy supplied by People Matters
