You just got your company’s cell phone bill, and it’s higher than the balance in your checking account.
You’re getting customer complaints about loud music, high costs, and/or lack of communication.
Whatever the scenario is in your business, conflicts are never pleasant.
Within all of us is an intelligent energy that is the essence of who we are. It is our personality, our preferences, our wants, and our needs; and our happiness and well being lies within this energetic essence.
There is an inherent need for us to line up with this energy in order to be happy and create harmonious and satisfying relationships. When we have a conflict with another person, it disturbs our ability to line up with this energy and live in peace.
Because we are all unique individuals with our own ideas about what is right and wrong, it’s difficult to live in the world without having a conflict with someone at some time. So, what do we do about these conflicts? What if we looked for a compromise that both parties could live with and still respect one another? What if we could find a way for everyone to be happy and at peace?
Especially in family businesses, where everyone’s past history is well known, and rarely forgotten, it can be difficult to get past conflicts, look at people as they are, and give them the respect they deserve. Here is a 5 step process to help you ALIGN and find a compromise, even when the other person may not be in a compromising mode.
1. Always take time. Give the situation time to come to a natural conclusion. When you step back for a few days, new resolutions may become apparent that you couldn’t see in the first emotional throes of the conflict.
2. Let clarity rise to the surface. Write down your feelings, frustrations, and what you believe is the problem and the best solution. Live with this for a couple of days – without approaching the other party.
3. Introspection - brainstorm possible solutions. This is the time to think out of the box, not just from your normal point of view. Sit in the other person’s chair and think about how the situation is affecting them.
4. Get solutions. Approach the other person with a clear intention to discuss several solutions, and be open-minded and sensitive to what they have to say. Don’t expect a decision to be made at this point. Let each other’s possible solutions percolate for a few days.
5. New resolution. After the percolation period, meet again face-to-face and talk about pros and cons of each other’s preferred resolution. Try to pick one you are both satisfied with – and that maintains your harmonious relationship, assuming that it is your desire to do so.
Using this process to ALIGN will give both parties the opportunity to feel heard, respected, and at the same time maintain their source of peace and happiness. Keeping peace and happiness at the forefront of relationships leads to your own peace of mind, stronger interpersonal relationships, and a better business.
© 2008 Sandy Reed - All rights reserved
Want to use my articles in your ezine or website?
You're welcome to, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:
"Sandy Reed is the President and Founder of the International Association of Women in Family Enterprises (IAWIFE). She is a professional business coach, writer, and co-owns her own successful family business. If you're ready to take your family business to the next level of success; receive support, education, and connect with like-minded women, join her members at www.iawife.com. Sandy's business building articles have been published in True Wealth and Simply Home magazines."
