Better to be Write Than Right (A Tool for Handling Workplace Conflict)

Good morning, fellow coaches. One of the experiences with coaching clients we all face is helping them to manage conflict at their workplace, particularly at the C level. It’s always tough for really good leaders, partly because they’re often more sensitive, thoughtful and passionate than the average business leader out there. These qualities are what led them to engage us as coaches. They are qualities that mean that they care deeply about their enterprises. But they are qualities that also make conflicts on the job more deeply troubling for them. So what do you do to help?

One of the techniques I’ve used for years in helping people get a handle on a conflict situation is to require them to write out the issues, actions and conclusions that are involved. Yes, write them out. Every time I do this, I am amazed at the clarity it brings to a business fight.

Clarity is what writing delivers to a situation. When you make people sit down and thoroughly write out the details and timelines and conclusions, yes, even the implications of a conflict, nine times out of ten the conflict diminishes in size and intensity. It is amazing.

I first discovered this technique when I was serving as a full time minister. Even if only one person in a conflict consents to do this exercise with you, the conflict will still be improved because clarity will arrive for them. Try it. And be amazed at how small most differences appear when we reduce them to paper.


As always, if you have any stories or questions to share, I’d love to hear them!



Joe Pursch