Workplace Communication - 4 Beliefs That Create Conflict and Dismiss Collaboration

Understanding the underlying beliefs that create conflict can go a long way in improving workplace communication. Conflict is a natural part of human interaction and properly managed can lead to creative solutions, valuable insights, and personal growth.

Here a look at the four underlying beliefs that can lead to disagreements and poor communication:

1. The belief that the other side must understand your perspective so they will begin to think the same way you do. This leads to a battle to be first to explain your side of an issue. At first glance, it is easy to agree with this statement, but in reality the opposite-listening to the other side first-leads to faster resolution and the opportunity to learn something valuable that might shift the way you see things.

2. The belief that you are a good listener-and strive to understand differing points of view. The truth is that conscious and active listening is a difficult skill to master and requires the discipline of being fully aware in every conversation. As technology continues to take us further away from one-to-one conversations the less opportunity there is to practice the skill of conscious awareness. Real understanding and honest communication does not occur in 140 characters.

3. The belief that you hold no fear if you know you are right. The very idea that your sense of righteousness precludes fear is unreasonable. The real truth is that your belief stems from a place of fear-the loss of something-stature, face, authority or the shattering of your belief. Loss rather than the possibility of gain becomes the basis of your communication style setting the perfect stage for conflict.

4. The belief that resolution means triumph over another resulting in a winner and a loser. Unfortunately competition is highly regarded and often encouraged in the workplace making the possibility of collaboration all the more difficult. Collaboration conjures up compromise but that need not be the case. Collaboration can spur creativity and the generation of brand new ideas-that neither side previously considered. Think about it-we teach conflict resolution skills rather than collaboration skills! Imagine the mindset shift that would require-but imagine the possibilities it would foster.

Take a moment to consider your own limiting beliefs. What one belief, that if you shifted your thinking about, would make the most difference in the way you handle disagreements in your workplace? Replace the world conflict with collaboration and observe how your communication changes.