As a conflict resolution consultant and accountability coach I help my clients reduce conflict in the workplace to improve their working condition.

Here are a couple of questions for you…

• Do you have a culture of “we versus they” at work?
• Do you have people pointing fingers and blaming others?

If so…this article is just for you.

The following are a few ideas that I share in my facilitating programs:

• First of all bring together a small team that needs to work on Silo issues…to encourage cooperation and respect.
• Discuss ground rules such as turning off cell phones, no gossiping and speaking to each other with respect.
• Go around the table and discuss what each person appreciates about each other.

Make sure everyone participates in these activities. Once trust is developing…it is time to discuss what everyone needs from each other…guide the conversation so that people are being constructive.

If you don’t get the results that you envisioned it may be time to invite a trained facilitator to help you move forward.

I was hired to work with a board of directors on an executive retreat.  “We versus they” existed between the newer board members and veteran members. I helped them create a code of honor.

• The rules are made by the team on issues such as how to deal with side bars and tardiness.
• The Team calls each other out when rules are broken.
• Everyone has to play by the same rules.
• Positive confrontation is part of the code of honor.
• When someone breaks the code, members say, “This is not about me attacking you. This is about following the rules. We all agreed upon the code.”

I hope that this article will give you tips to help remove “we versus they” at your workplace. Our next article will give you tips how to improve morale.

Until next time, this is Joyce Weiss and remember, “You get what you tolerate!”

Ready to take these ideas to the next step?

When you read my book, Full Speed Ahead:  Become Driven by Change you’ll discover how to achieve your personal and professional best.

Put your life into overdrive!
Are things around you changing faster than you can cope?
Instead of chugging along, are you stuck in neutral?
Have fear, worry, failure and adversity stolen your zest for living?
You needn’t feel defeated anymore!

You’ll discover:

• 5 strategies to help you deal with life’s stresses
• Great skills to improve your communication
• How to appreciate diversity and watch your creativity soar
• How to add humor and fun to your life
• 3 stages of risk-taking to make intelligent choices

Each chapter is followed by a worksheet and an action plan to help you put these principles into action NOW in your professional or personal life. Achieving your personal best has never been easier or more fun.

Read what Anthony Robbins said about Full Speed Ahead:

“A straightforward, engaging and down-to-earth book for those desiring improvement in the quality and direction of their lives.” Anthony Robbins, Author, Awaken the Giant Within, and Unlimited Power

Order your copy of Full Speed Ahead and discover how you can get back in the driver’s seat:

Learn more about this topic here:

If you enjoyed this information, you may also enjoy these articles:

Reduce Conflict in the Workplace by Creating Strong Teams

5 Team Building Tips to Reduce Conflict in the Workplace

As a conflict resolution consultant and accountability coach I help my clients reduce conflict in the workplace to improve their working condition.

Have you wondered how to deal with that negative employee or customer? Have you wondered how to successfully do this without a lot of drama? If so…this article is just for you!

My message is very clear on this topic:

• Everyone is responsible for the morale of the team… not just leaders.
• Both leaders and employees need to speak to negative people on how the negativity impacts morale in the office.

You will read a phrase that I write in every article…

• “You get what you tolerate!”
• If you are tired of negativity and you don’t say anything…  “You get what you tolerate!”
• You need to do something for things to change.

I’m sure you know people who train their brain to focus only on negative things. Constant complaining stops problem solving & perpetuates a culture of being stuck and not moving forward.

I heard an interview with a pilot who flew with the blue angels. The blue angels fly their jets only18 inches apart. The interviewer asked…”How do you do so well?” The pilot said, “We practice, practice, practice.” The interviewer asked “Why don’t you crash?”The pilot responded, “We don’t practice crashing!”

Here’s a tip that can help you deal with those negatoids:

Forget about asking that person how he or she is doing. You will only get complaints about the weather, economy or traffic. Ask the negative person “What is something good that happened to you today?” This tip forces the negative person to think of something different to say.  It takes discipline to focus on the good things!

I hope that this tip will help you deal with negativity in your workplace. My next article will give you tips on how to remove silos at work.

Until next time, this is Joyce Weiss and remember, “You get what you tolerate!”

Learn more about this topic here:

If you enjoyed this information, you may also enjoy these articles:

Steps to Conflict Resolution When Dealing With Angry Clients

Do You Want to Turn Situations Around to Reduce Conflict in the Workplace?

As a conflict resolution consultant and accountability coach, I help my clients reduce conflict in the workplace to improve their working condition.

What do you do when someone pushes your button?

• Defend yourself?
• Don’t say anything?
• Think of the perfect answer on the way home?

Verbal Aikido is not pushing back or answering in silence. Verbal Aikido helps you diplomatically deal with bullies who know how to push buttons. Verbal Aikido gives you back the control.

Here is a story about Robert Kennedy when he was appointed Attorney General of the United States.  He knew that he was going to be put on the defensive when he met with the press the day after the appointment.  Senator Kennedy understood the power of verbal aikido.

A member of the press pushed the microphone into Mr. Kennedy’s face and asked, “Senator Kennedy, What gives YOU the right to be Attorney General of the United States? Robert Kennedy took a deep breath and said, “That is a great question. You need to go to a good school, meet a lot of people and have a brother who is the President of the United States.” The press backed away and laughed at the response.

The key in verbal aikido is that the person who pulls back has the power.

Here are some easy tips to use the next time someone pushes you:

• Think of pulling back. Use the same words they say to you but with a question…
  “You are always late”…”Always?”
  “All managers act this way?”  “All managers?”This tip gives you the control and the bully needs to answer to you!

• Agree with them by pulling back.
  “Your company was supposed to send me the report 2 weeks ago”
  “You are right.  I will look into it.  Here is my direct number. Call me if you don’t receive the report by 3:00”.By agreeing with them you pulled back and will get the results that you both need. You did not defend yourself in this example by giving excuses such as  “We are short staffed.”

I hope that verbal aikido will give you back control when dealing with bullies in the workplace. My next article will give you tips on how to deal with negativity in the workplace.

Until next time, this is Joyce Weiss and remember… “You get what you tolerate!”

Learn more about this topic here:

If you enjoyed this information, you may also enjoy these articles:

Developing Respect in the Workplace by Building Trust

Reduce Conflict in the Workplace:  How to Take Control of Difficult Conversations

As a conflict resolution consultant and accountability coach I help my clients reduce conflict in the workplace to improve their working condition.

Many of my clients ask me the burning question… How can I stop gossip, negativity or even mediocrity? The answer… A unique training program called Be Direct with Respect®, a trademark program of Joyce Weiss Training & Development LLC.

Be Direct with Respect® is not sarcasm or being rude. It focuses on results & respects yourself and others.

If you have a pen handy…please write these words down

• I am: your emotional response
• When I:  non judgmental
• Because:  how it affects you

This is the power talk formula & is perfect to use when someone asks you to do an “urgent” project at the last minute:

• “I am frustrated when I have a deadline because
• I want to help you out.  Bring your project back at 3:00.”

You just set a boundary which is something we need to do with certain people.

Here is an example when to use power talk if your team is not being productive:

• “I am concerned when I see the team take extra breaks because  the team’s project has a deadline and our goal will not be achieved.”

This example contains boundaries, is direct and respectful.

I hope that being Direct with Respect® will help you gain control & reduce conflict in your workplace.  My next article will give you tips to use when someone pushes you…called verbal aikido

Until the next time, this is Joyce Weiss and remember, “You get what you tolerate!”’

Ready for the next step?

Dare to turn conflict in the workplace into creativity and bigger profits!

When you follow the steps in my “Communication with Impact” e-course you will transform your relationships at work and at home!

You’ll discover the secrets to:

• Gaining control in tough conversations
• Building respect between generations
• Resolving issues with bullies and difficult people

Read what my client, Lori had to say about the course:

“Things are really going well here since we started taking the Communicate with Impact: Be Direct with Respect® program.  We continue to see great progress within our management team which is beginning to flow down to the staff.  I had a meeting with one of my managers this morning and she commented again on how well the course impacted her.” Lori Verbrugge, COO, Midwest Financial Credit Union

Take these simple steps now.  To get immediate access to this transformational training go here:

How to Improve Communication Skills

Learn more about this topic here:

Want more information? You may also enjoy this article on:

Improving Communication Skills:  So You Want to Be a Good Listener?