For as long as there have been companies and organization there have been workplace conflicts. Not all conflicts are created equal. As we like to point out, conflicts can also generate positive results; “conflicts are the seeds of growth”. However, when the conflict starts to adversely affect the smooth working within the company or organization, then the conflict must be dealt with and resolved. If not the conflict can deteriorate into a crisis, having disastrous impact on the organization and the people involved.
The Cedar Group provides a safe zone where all parties involved in the conflict can confidentially discuss the issues as they see them. We act as an unbiased, neutral third party to try and help you resolve the conflict.
Workplace conflicts often involve the following issues:
For younger companies: Between Founders (including active & “less active”) / People reporting to the founder instead of the CEO / Investor issues / Fundraising (cashflow) / Founders vs. CEO / Founders' spouses / Compensation issues / Work – Life Balance/ Dividing the Pie (Option Plans) / Negotiating issues / Partnerships / Board & CEO* / Strategic Direction / Dealing with senior managers / Training first time managers how to identify & deal with conflict / Decision making protocol / Hiring & Firing /Issues regarding Intellectual Property Rights / Strategic Partners / Among & Between the Teams / Manager / Subordinate Issues / Gender Issues / Age Issues (in both directions) / Race Issues / Inter-Cultural Issues / Woke / PC Issues / Issues with suppliers, services providers, banks, bureaucrats, regulators, gov’t / Issues with landlords / Corporate Culture Challenges : Entitlement younger generation vs. The Establishment / Internal Communication- Style, Tone & Format / How to handle difficult conversations / Disconnect between the Sales dept and Engineering / Legal etc. / M & A Issues / Differing corporate cultures post M & A / Exit strategy and many more.
There are many factors that play a major part in workplace conflicts. These include cultural and gender factors, misaligned expectations, feelings of entitlement, competing and conflicting interests, internal coalition building and power struggles, and faulty communication, inexperience (in running a business & managing people) , financial pressures, to name but a few.
Among the problems that often manifest themselves in workplace conflicts are: frequent fighting and bickering, passive as well as overt aggression, ineffective (often no) communication, high absenteeism, high employee turn-over, the blame game, harboring past unresolved issues "living in the past", inflated sense of entitlement, the “spill-over” bringing work problems home and home problems to work, and more.
* Board & CEO issues alone can fill up a library. The relationship that is forged and established between the CEO and the Board will play a big role in determining the amount and severity of conflicts that will permeate the company. We can help you improve this important relationship.
If you are dealing with these types of problems give us a call, we can help.
