Women Dealing with Conflict in the Workplace
Let us start with, What is conflict? The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines conflict as mental struggle resulting from incompatible or opposing needs, drives, wishes, or external or internal demands. Sometimes that mental struggle can manifest into a physical form ranging from domestic abuse to war. Regrettably, much of it starts for women as conflict in the workplace.
When I worked as a facilitator at The Contemporary Woman project, the topic of Conflict Resolution was included in the curriculum. My colleagues smiled in my direction as I was the model of a woman who felt fear at the thought of conflicted situations. It took concentration and courage to stand my ground. My uneasiness with conflict provided our participants with comfort and hope while it gave me an opportunity to strengthen my grit.
My co-facilitators were experienced and powerful women. Pamela is now a Human Rights Educator with the Alberta Civil Liberties Research Centre and Martha acquired a Masters Degree in Peace, training with the likes of Jimmy Carter. I learned much from these incredible women.
When I hear that two people who spend significant amounts of time with one another never disagree, I wonder who is not speaking up and has become invisible. Conflict is inevitable and a basically healthy aspect of most relationships. Women traditionally default on the assertiveness scale to acting passively. There are some who default to aggressive.
Bullying expert, Barbara Coloroso, differentiates between healthy conflict and deliberate, abusive behavior where power is unequal and certain people or populations are targeted. Conflict resolution is dependent on willing parties.
While researching for my book, From Woe to WOW: How Resilient Women Succeed at Work 16 survey respondents described the conflict with their co-workers, 10 with their managers and 10 managers described it in relation to their job responsibilities. Plus, 29 respondents reported struggling with clients’ behaviors. Others reported struggling with divorce, workplace criticism and micro-managing from bosses.
Here are some answers respondents gave to the question, What has been your worst workplace experience?
Women commented on their relationship with co-workers:
- “Arguing with co-workers or not talking to them at all.”
- “Gossip in the workplace. Passive-aggressive behavior.”
- “General backstabbing.”
- “Snob nurses.”
- “Carrying all the workload when three people should share.”
Women commented on conflict with managers:
- “A manager with a ‘split personality’ . . . working in Mental Health—unbearable.”
- “Being overlooked for a promotion twice.”
- “Working with a difficult boss.”
- “A supervisor not allowing Christmas off. It was my time off but she would not change the schedule. I asked her why she booked me and she said that she could do whatever she wanted.”
- “Boss stealing my ideas and passing them off as her own.”
- “Arrogant, conceited boss.”
Managers commented on conflict with employees:
- “Six-month nurse strike when I was the manager.”
- “Not being taken seriously as a manager because of my young age.”
- “Being undermined in my authority.”
- “Managing a company while on strike, crossing picket-line daily for 10 months.”
When conflict raises its head, you have four choices in deciding how to handle it:
- You can avoid it and pretend it does not exist.
- You can argue, fight or use power plays until someone wins.
- You can leave.
- You can work to resolve it.
When we put on our wise women hearts and heads we know conflict can be better resolved if we believe when I’m okay and you’re okay, we work it out.
Dealing with inappropriate behavior and negotiating improvements takes honesty and willingness. While it takes all parties to agree to a solution, it takes only one to ruin it. Consequently, there are no guarantees of resolution. However, the potential result of reduced stress, fear, unpleasant surprises, increased peace, and improved connections make resolving conflict in with workplace well worth the effort. Go to the links below if you are ready to try some conflict management strategies.
