The School of Labor and Employment Relations enjoys showcasing the knowledge and skills of our esteemed faculty and successful alumni in the workforce. We strive to choose timely topics that will provide practical knowledge that is useable for a broad audience. This week, we held a lunch hour workshop on navigating difficult conversations at work. A problem that is relatable to us all. We were joined by over 100 HR professionals, alumni, and current/prospective students.
Professor Ryan Lamare gave a presentation on the topic covering three sections – why conflict happens, how to identify the nature of conflicts, and how to use these conflicts in a productive way. He was followed by a panel featuring four PepsiCo HR professionals and LER alumni. The panel was led by Kelsey Mills, MHRIR 19, and consisted of Emily Brock, MHRIR 12, Lhea Townes, MHRIR 16, and Matt Zink, MHRIR 02.
Professor Lamare began the presentation by stating something that we all know – conflict is inevitable. With that in mind, there is no single solution, as conflict resolution is not a one-size-fits-all process. Conflict can stem from many areas: resource scarcity, differences in values, status, roles, perceptions, or goals, as well as structural, environmental, and cultural compatibilities.
There are significant costs of conflict whether they be direct, indirect, opportunity costs, or benefits. So it is important to resolve these conflicts in a quick, effective, and productive way. However, when it comes to dealing with conflict, some approaches foster better results than others: (1) formal authority (“force”), (2) avoidance (“ignoring”), (3) accommodation (“yielding”), with the best practices being (4) compromise (“negotiating”) and (5) collaboration (“problem-solving”).
All in all, the importance of taking an interest-based approach rather than a positional one fosters more desirable outcomes in the end. The session wrapped up with several insightful questions from audience members, sparking thoughtful discussion. The panelists did a fantastic job sharing their expertise and providing valuable perspectives, making it an engaging and informative experience for all.
We hope you can join us the next time we feature our faculty and alumni sharing practical knowledge to improve the workplace! If you have suggestions on future topics for discussion, please email Nell Madigan.
