Conflicting objectives
Today is a new day but in business we carry over the old problems challenges and situations to the next work period. Most times it will be the next day and it probably still looks the same.
When we look at what must be done to complete a task or job we can encounter conflict.
What is conflict or conflicting agendas?
Well conflict in business relates to disagreement or something which brings a negative or alternate reaction to the surface. A good example can be the salesman trying to close a sale and needing support, being advised that the company has made its best offer and anything else will affect his commision rate. The company is holding its minimum margin and the rep grudgingly agrees to give up a part of his percentage. So what is the bigger picture here.
- A) the salesman needs the sale to meet his quota to gain commission for the month maybe even an additional incentive to pay his car insurance.
- B) the company can't afford to go lower because it will affect their budget, and it may already be behind due to unexpected operations problems.
The bigger picture for both company and employee may appear to be different but they are in fact the bigger areas of concern which need to be met. The potential for conflict is there if not managed properly. Then of course there are 'agendas'.
The hidden agendas
The employee and employer have different agendas which must be met for both to be satisfied. In the case of the employee motives for working harder/ overtime or pursuing tasks which will generate an additional reward or benefit can be the fuel which drives surplus actions. Sometimes the employer will be aware of employees additional needs but many times they don't. The hidden agendas can create conflict in activities which require additional efforts and compromise in achieveing the objectives of employees and employer.
The employer may need to have increased sales to boost revenue in a particular area and to help with cashflow, but the hidden agenda may be a bit of mismanagement which has impacted on the financial standing of the company, threatening its survival. The employer will not wish to disclose a weakness, but the vulnerability of the company can impact on commissions when looking at the entire situation.
Both examples can create conflict, and looking at the big picture on both sides will lead to frustration.
In business looking at the big picture is looking at the impact of a decision on other areas and seeking to make the best decision in the best interest of the company and staff.
Today I'd like to throw a spanner in the big picture wheel and suggest looking closer at the situation and getting creative with solutions. The big picture won't matter if the little things are not done. Get back to the drawing board and revisit the 'whys', always ensuring the 'big picture' is not the elephant in the room no one speaks about.
Resolving conflict at work requires patience, a good listening ear and a willingness to set aside the big picture for a moment while getting the smaller things resolved. Managing the little things can reduce the possibility of a big blow up, and that is the real 'big picture' most times!
Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts!
A short brief about me: I’m a corporate business veteran, with practical experience in a diverse range of industries — Safety/ HVAC / FMCG /Industrial Equipment /and much more . Sales ,Marketing, Business Development & Coaching are combined to deliver over 30 years experience. As an entrepreneur and blogger (Dwordslayer) I’m right now living an adventure, and looking forward to the next opportunity to challenge mediocrity.Find me on: Twitter https://twitter.com/DLE41 or email: dwordslayer@gmail.com
Credits:Image — pixabay.com
© Donna-Luisa Eversley and D-WORDSLAYER, 2018. All Rights Reserved
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