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Case Study

1) The document provides guidance on how to have productive disagreements with coworkers by focusing on shared interests, understanding different perspectives, and proposing compromise solutions. 2) Key strategies include preparing by understanding the nature of the disagreement, identifying common ground, actively listening to the other perspective, and using a shared problem-solving approach to find a mutually agreeable resolution. 3) The case study example illustrates how reframing a disagreement over a performance review as a shared interest in supporting all colleagues and maintaining department funding led to an aligned resolution.

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71 views

Case Study

1) The document provides guidance on how to have productive disagreements with coworkers by focusing on shared interests, understanding different perspectives, and proposing compromise solutions. 2) Key strategies include preparing by understanding the nature of the disagreement, identifying common ground, actively listening to the other perspective, and using a shared problem-solving approach to find a mutually agreeable resolution. 3) The case study example illustrates how reframing a disagreement over a performance review as a shared interest in supporting all colleagues and maintaining department funding led to an aligned resolution.

Uploaded by

shikhaa3004
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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The Right Way to Fight

by Amy Gallo  

Differences of opinion at work are inevitable and often integral to innovation, problem-solving,
and performance improvement. But knowing that most clashes have benefits does not make them
any easier to manage. Disagreements with coworkers can be uncomfortable, and if handled
poorly, result in unproductive and even harmful conflict. The good news is that, with a little
planning, you can avoid a fight and find an answer that everyone agrees on.

What the Experts Say


Because most people are uncomfortable discussing differences, it's rare that disagreements go
smoothly. "Most conflicts are resolved through brute force or splitting the difference," says Jeff
Weiss, a Founding Partner of Vantage Partners, LLC and co-author of Harvard Business
Review's "Want Collaboration?: Accept — and Actively Manage — Conflict" and "Simple
Rules for Making Alliances Work." Unfortunately, this approach often means both sides are
unhappy with the outcome. Having a productive disagreement starts with your mindset. "Assume
you have something to learn, assume there is a more creative solution than you've thought of,"
says Weiss. By entering the discussion with an open mind, regardless of your coworker's stance,
you are likely to find common ground. Of course, doing this right takes time and attention. Judith
White, Associate Professor of Business Administration at Tuck School of Business and co-
author of "Why It Pays to Get Inside the Head of Your Opponent," warns that you should
"expect to invest time and thought."

Below are some guidelines to help you turn a negative situation into a positive one.

Prepare
Being prepared for a dispute requires knowing your own position and trying to better understand
your coworker's. Before approaching your colleague, White advises you "know what your
underlying intentions are." Weiss identifies three types of differences between coworkers:

1. Substantive, in which you disagree over the content or task at hand


2. Relational, when the dissent is really about your relationship with your coworker
3. Perceptual, when you and your coworker are seeing the problem differently

Understanding this can help you approach the conversation with clarity. First, acknowledge the
type of disagreement you are having and check with your coworker that he sees it the same way.

Regardless of the nature of the quarrel, try to leave your emotions at the door. "Disagreements
are best solved through objectivity rather than emotions," says Weiss.

Preparation also includes careful consideration of logistics. Schedule your meeting so you will
have enough time to reach a conclusion. Be sure the conversation can happen face to face in a
private setting. Don't try to solve differences using email, which does not do a good job of
conveying tone or nuance.

Identify common ground


To start a difficult conversation the right way, it's important for you and your coworker to
identify something you agree on. This may be a common goal or a set of operating rules that you
consent to. Try saying something like: "We both want to develop a plan that will take our
company to the next level," or "We said we would be thorough about this decision." Be sure that
the common ground is something your colleague genuinely cares about, and not something you
think he should. Before moving on, check for your coworker's agreement. You may also want to
reassure him that you value your relationship. This will reassure him that your point of
contention is not a personal one.

Hear your coworker out


Even if you think you already understand your coworker's perspective, you should hear what she
has to say. Ask questions that help you fully understand her point of view and determine whether
your disagreement is a function of differing interests or differing perceptions. According to
Weiss, this requires that you "stop figuring out your next line" and actively listen. Don't just
hearing her story but take it in as well. Remain open to persuasion since your coworker's
explanation of her side may uncover an important piece of information that leads to a resolution.
For example, if she says she is just trying to keep her boss happy, you can help her articulate
how a resolution is aligned with her boss's concerns.

Once you've heard your coworker out, share your own story. This should not be done in a "point,
counter-point" way, but should focus on helping your coworker see where you're coming from. If
she challenges your interpretation, let her vent and express her frustration.

Propose a resolution
When all of the data is on the table, offer a resolution. Don't propose what you walked in the
door with, but use the information you gathered during your conversation to come up with a
better solution. Say to your coworker, "You've said A, and I've said B, perhaps we can consider
solution C." "Don't assume a combative stance," says White. If he isn't happy with the solution
you've put out there, engage him in a problem-solving process to come up with a result you can
both live with.

When it goes badly...


Even with a well thought-out approach, some disagreements turn ugly. "Most often these
conversations turn into battles when it gets personal," says White. If your exchange becomes
heated, bring the conversation back to your shared interests or goals. Re-focus the dialogue on
the future. "You can't resolve a battle over a problem that has already happened, but you can set
a course going forward," says White.

If your coworker is antagonistic or aggressive, it may be best to take a break from the
conservation. You can either literally step out of the room or pause mentally pause to observe the
course of the conversation. This "outsider" observation can help you gain perspective on what's
really going on. You may also try changing the process: step up to the white board, take out a
piece of paper to brainstorm, or even offer to continue the discussion over drinks or dinner. This
can help to alter the dynamic that's developed between you. If all else fails, withdraw and find a
third person to mediate.

Principles to Remember

Do:

 Focus on shared goals and interests


 Understand the nature of your disagreement before meeting with your coworker
 Remain open to persuasion

Don't:

 Assume you fully understand your colleague's perspective


 Try to solve a disagreement over email
 Stop your coworker from venting his frustrations

Case Study: Reframing the disagreement as an agreement


Andrew Lund is a professor of film and media at Hunter College in New York. His department,
like all departments at Hunter, is assessed by an external reviewer every eight years to help the
university allocate resources. Last year, the department received a glowing evaluation. However,
the reviewers said in their report that film and media's graduate program was taking valuable
resources away from its undergraduate program.

Andrew and his colleagues knew that this would upset graduate program professors. Before long,
they began to hear rumors that these colleagues were planning to repeal the report. Simon (not
his real name), one of Andrew's coworkers, a leader in the film and media department, felt that
the group should remain silent on the issue, neither endorsing nor distancing themselves from the
report. According to Simon, they weren't responsible for what went into it especially since no
one in film and media had expressed that opinion during the review process.

Andrew believed that remaining silent would only infuriate the graduate program professors.
"The only thing it would do is create suspicion and competition between colleagues," he said.
With a faculty meeting looming, he knew he had to resolve the conflict between him and Simon
and align the department. After listening to Simon's view, he told him that they both wanted the
same thing: funding for the department and a good working relationship with all their colleagues.
He said he believed that their disagreement was procedural more than anything. Andrew
explained that speaking up would show support for graduate program faculty and put film and
media in a position to dictate further funding terms.

He proposed that they make a motion at the beginning of the faculty meeting to rescind the
section of the report without taking accountability for it. After hearing Andrew out, Simon
agreed to go on record that the review didn't reflect the department's views. "Not only did we
solve the conflict, we won goodwill," Andrew said. "It was a triumphant moment for our
faculty."

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