Conflict and Resolution Specialist Archives - Page 12 of 14

April 17, 2011 By Joyce Weiss 4 Comments

Understanding 5 Generations to Help Reduce Conflict in the Workplace

One of my favorite clients -The Greater Lansing CVB helped me launch a powerful new program called “The New Normal: Doing More with Less.” It was created to help reduce conflict in the workplace. We had a packed house in the Causeway Bay Convention Center in Lansing MI. I shared tips on how the audience could keep up with the workload without burning out.

I will share highlights in this blog on how all 5 generations in the workplace can help each other create less conflict in the workplace by improving communication skills. Look for more ideas in future blogs.

1. The Linkster Generation: Born after 1995.
These are teens just entering the workforce. Leaders need to educate them on the importance of face to face communication. They need to educate us on how to use technology. Include the linkster generation in company meetings and let them know that they have something to contribute. The linkster generation is 18% of the world’s population.

2. Generation Y: Born Between 1981-1995
Their top motivator is BALANCE. They don’t like to work 9-5 like the baby boomers. They work best when they set their own hours. They are loyal if their work/life is balanced. Their job turnover rate is 30%. They are 35% of the workforce.

3. Generation X: Born Between 1965-1980
They came home from school to an empty house because many of their parents were at work. they force themselves to be on teams even though they would rather do things on their own. They want to be given the tools. They want to be trained. They are very independent. Reward a generation X with time off to spend time with their family. They are the smallest generation on record.

4. Baby Boomers: Born between 1946-1965
Baby boomers are team players. They are used to a 9-5 job and take work home with them. Help them gain work/life balance and learn how to be better organized so that they can have a “life” after work. Encourage them to become mentors.

5. The Traditional Generation: Born between 1918-1945
They bring great value to the organization. Make them mentors. They do like to learn and may need a little help with technology. They represent only 8% of the workforce.

A question that I’m always asked is…How can we improve communication in the workplace?

A perfect example is to listen…really listen to the needs of all generations. The baby boomers live to work and Generation X and Y work to live. One is not better than the other. Different equals different. Different does not equal wrong.

Discuss why members of different generations in your workplace think and act like they do.
Discuss ideas on how doing more with less can help the bottom line.

Each generation has important information to share. They can also learn from each other…which is the key to reducing conflict in the workplace.

I will include more information from this workshop in future blogs. It was really interesting because we had 4 generations represented in the workshop. Conversation was extremely interesting on how work/life balance is important to ALL generations.

Below is a photo of Jennifer Hagen-Events Planner and Jan Pfeiffer, Membership Manager who both work at the Greater Lansing CVB.

Photo of Jennifer Hagen and Jan Pfeiffer

The following video is a testimonial from Amanda Allen who works at the Okemos Convention Center and Holiday Express & Comfort Inn:

Thanks to the fine people at Greater Lansing CVB who make me feel like part of their family each time we work together.

Was this helpful? Let us hear your thoughts in the comments below. Feel free to share these tips with your team-Just be sure to give Joyce credit when you share or publish. Sign up at the RSS feed on the blog site to be included in future blog posts from Joyce on this subject.

Please hit this link for Articles on Reducing Conflict in the Workplace

Remember…YOU GET WHAT YOU TOLERATE!

Until the next time
Joyce Weiss

February 6, 2011 By Joyce Weiss Leave a Comment

Do You Have a Super Bowl Team?

Today is the Super Bowl and I am getting ready to go to a party to watch the best team win. How can you tell if you have a winning team?

I just returned from a training in Wynne Arkansas and worked with the winning East Central Arkansas Regional Library System Team. I am extremely impressed at how hard all the team members worked together to develop into an even stronger team.

I asked the group to define what team building meant to them. They came up the following characteristics:

Support
Building relationships
Keeping up the slack when team members are not at work
Building Trust

We discussed all of these characteristics during the training. Building Trust was the one that we all agreed to concentrate on during the training. We discussed that silence in meetings is probably a good indication that lack of trust exists. We came up with a solution for everyone on the team to be fully engaged at meetings. Silence does not hold you accountable. If you agree with your team, tell them. If you don’t agree, tell them why. It is a risk to open up our mouth when we don’t agree with the team. If trust exists, then it is easier to do.

I encouraged the Wynne AR team to talk to team members when an issue comes up in the future. It is dangerous to let it go or gossip with each other. We went around the room and discussed what each team member needed to build trust with each other. We came up with some great suggestions on how to build trust even during challenging times.

Decide how you can build trust with your team when things get stressful. Hope these ideas will help you build your own team synergy.

Please let me know your biggest challenge with your team.
Write your challenge in the comment box of this blog and I will answer.
I am committed to stay in touch with my loyal readers – so please keep in touch!

Please watch Holly Mercer’s (Director of East Central Arkansas Regional Library System) video testimonial that she made right after the team building training:

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Feel free to share these tips with your team – Just give Joyce credit when you share or publish.

For more information, articles, and podcasts, visit https://www.joyceweiss.com

January 29, 2011 By Joyce Weiss Leave a Comment

Developing Respect in the Workplace by Building Trust

I just worked with the MI TWP Association in Grand Rapids MI on a “Building Trust in Your Community Workshop.” The group was open to the ideas and participated in numerous group exercises.

Below is an exercise that I asked the audience to complete.

On the left side of a piece of paper write down the name of a person who you don’t get along with. Write down a few characteristics that describe this person. On the right side of the paper write down the name of a person who you get along with really well and write a few characteristics that describe this person

OK…now for the fun! Most of the time people tell me that the description of the person that they don’t get along with is NOT like the person doing the exercise. It is interesting because participants tell me that the description of the person who they get along with describes the person doing the exercise.

Here is the challenge: Personal bias gets in the way. We get along with people who are like us and many times have conflict with people who are NOT like us. Hopefully this will help the next time you have conflict with someone. Ask yourself if the differences between you and the other person is really the issue.

The definition of conflict is the following: “An open clash between groups or individuals.” It can be due to different ideas, behaviors communication styles or cultures. We all deal with conflict in different ways!

I hope that this tip will help you resolve your next conflict. Please look for a video tip on this subject in one of my next blogs.

Was this helpful?

Let us hear your thoughts in the comment section below.

Feel free to share this tip with your team-just be sure to give Joyce credit when you share or publish.

For more information, articles and podcasts, visit https://www.joyceweiss.com

Until next time!

December 17, 2010 By Joyce Weiss Leave a Comment

Set Realistic Expectations to Improve Communication in the Workplace

Do you want better group cohesion?
Do you want to communicate effectively with your team?
Has your team discussed expectations with each other?
Has your team had honest and tough conversations?

Knowing the employees needs will convert challenges into golden opportunities to improve your team’s communication and morale

A good place to start is to speak openly to each other in order to improve the working condition.
To create a strong team, you need to communicate all team expectations, like;

When you disagree with me, let me know.
The team is counting on everyone to have this project done by 3:00 today.
I expect projects done on time, even it means working late.
I want you to take the initiative, and start contributing at our team meetings.
Give me regular status reports, so I don’t get last minute surprises.

Was this helpful?

Let us hear your thoughts in the comments below.

Feel free to share these tips with your team – just be sure to give Joyce credit when you share or publish.

For more information, articles and podcasts, visit https://www.joyceweiss.com

December 6, 2010 By Joyce Weiss Leave a Comment

Hiring Trends Survey

I’m partnering with Casey Jankoska who is the Client Relationship Manager for Express Employment Professionals. Express Employment Professionals are always looking for top talent and great companies to work with. Her goal is to be the bridge to someone’s tomorrow. They are hiring in the areas including office, customer service, skilled manufacturing and professional positions. Most of the positions they work on are long term positions. They help their clients relieve their burdens and help them make the hiring process easier.

Casey sent me the following “Hiring Trends Survey” and I want to share the survey with you. Make sure to send this to people who you feel could benefit from this interesting report.

Hiring Trends Q4 Summary Report

The following questions mirror what I see in today’s corporate climate:

Please rate your current level of work stress
36% feel “overwhelming” or “very high” stress at work
63% feel “moderate” or “minimal” stress at work
1% currently feel “no stress” at work

Please rate how the following has changed since last year:
49% state their current work stress is “higher”, and 39% state “it has stayed the same”
42% state their pay rate is “higher” and 45% state it has “stayed the same”
68% state their currenc workload has “increased” and 25% state it has “stayed the same”

Resolving conflict and interpersonal issues are all part of our work life.
Delegation and prioritization are more important than ever before.
Coping with stress will always be an important skill for all of us.
The most important key is to communicate effectively with your team, management, and with yourself.

Remember…YOU GET WHAT YOU TOLERATE!

Please send me your comments about your own work stress. Let’s see how we can plan for a better 2011!

Was this helpful? Let us hear your thoughts and comments below.

Understanding 5 Generations to Help Reduce Conflict in the Workplace

Developing Respect in the Workplace by Building Trust

Hiring Trends Survey

Contact Joyce

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