Has there ever been a disagreement or a heated argument at your workplace? Did that lead to negative feelings and strained relationships? Or perhaps you’ve been lucky and never faced such a problem?
Either way, the prospect of interpersonal conflict at work is always looming as people have emotions and can be rubbed the wrong way. Not only does this lead to low morale, but it can also affect the bottom line. This is why outward mindset development is important. Here’s your guide to the why and how of outward mindset development.
The True Cost of Interpersonal Conflict at Work
You might turn a blind eye to “office drama”, but widespread and sustained interpersonal conflict is not something to take lightly. Employees may not feel happy coming to work, which leads to low productivity, and may not be willing to work with colleagues, which leads to poor team performance. In the long run, interpersonal conflict can also create an environment that stifles collaboration and innovation. What’s more, don’t be surprised if this toxic workplace pushes employees to quit in large droves.
While interpersonal conflict may appear unavoidable due to the clash of personalities in an office, prioritizing outward mindset development can help.
Related Reads: Ways to Boost Employee Productivity
Inward Vs. Outward Mindset
Before we address outward mindset development, it’s vital to define an inward and outward mindset. An inward mindset is about focusing solely on ourselves and our needs, which has the potential to distort how we see others and the world. In contrast, an outward mindset enables us to better understand others and the world, rather than be stuck in our own preconceived notions. This deep understanding of one another fosters mutual respect and prevents interpersonal conflict.
Tips for Outward Mindset Development
That being said, outward mindset development doesn’t magically occur overnight. It takes conscious effort to change the way one sees and thinks. Follow these tried-and-tested tips:
1. Enroll in an outward mindset development course
Although the change must come from within, a little nudge (for example, by enrolling in an outward mindset development course) in the right direction can never hurt. In fact, learning to recognize behaviors associated with the inward and outward mindset in the context of an organization can accelerate one’s progress. In addition to this, enrolling the entire team is also a good idea to ensure that everyone makes the effort to move towards an outward mindset.
2. Start with oneself even if others don’t change
Oftentimes, people fixate on other peoples’ shortcomings so that they don’t have to deal with their own. However, the way one sees and responds to others is more about oneself rather than others. As such, it’s crucial to recognize that an outward mindset begins with oneself. Making a commitment to change – regardless of whether others do, also reflects the fact that each person is a key part of the organization.
3. Interact with people and try to empathize with them
Outward-mindset people enable others to thrive and become their best selves, which facilitates success in the entire organization. Given this, it’s important to interact with people across departments. Increased interaction helps one truly understand other people’s needs, goals, challenges, and begin to empathize with them. In turn, empathy makes reducing interpersonal conflict come naturally.
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