productivity | Edexec

Businessman with broken leg and arm standing with sick leave note on calendar.

A Proactive Approach to Workplace Sickness Absence

11th March 2025

Workplace absenteeism due to sickness is increasing, leading to reduced productivity, lower morale and challenges in employee retention CREDIT: This keep reading

Recognising the Red Flags of Burnout

6th March 2025

We all wish we could run on unlimited energy, but even the most driven leaders need to hit the pause keep reading

businessman holding a signboard with the word yes or no

Breaking Free from Overcommitment

5th March 2025

Have you ever volunteered to lead a project or take on a task, only to find yourself later wondering, “Why keep reading

Mindful eating and healthy daily food consumption

The Best Ways to Naturally Improve Concentration

26th February 2025

Struggling to stay focused? With the right strategies, you can train your mind to improve concentration and sharpen your focus keep reading

Conflict is inevitable in any workplace, but with the right strategies in place, organisations can turn these challenges into opportunities for growth, collaboration and stronger team dynamics CREDIT: This is an edited version of an article that originally appeared on MTD Training Effective conflict resolution is essential for maintaining a healthy and productive workplace. By fostering a culture of collaboration and understanding, teams can work through disagreements constructively. This not only strengthens interpersonal relationships but also enhances overall team performance. Here are some strategies to encourage positive conflict resolution and create a more cohesive work environment. Encouraging Team Activities Regular team-building exercises are an effective way to strengthen interpersonal relationships, making it easier to resolve conflicts and fostering greater collaboration. Activities like collaborative problem-solving games encourage teams to work together to tackle challenging puzzles or scenarios, promoting cooperation and shared decision-making. Communication workshops, which focus on active listening, non-verbal cues and clear communication, further enhance mutual understanding and improve team dynamics. These exercises collectively boost group coherence, making it easier to navigate conflicts and improve overall teamwork. Recognising Positive Resolution Recognising and rewarding employees who handle conflicts constructively can inspire others to adopt similar approaches. Additionally, rewarding teams that successfully navigate conflict, especially during periods of change, reinforces a positive organisational culture. Team outings and social celebrations are great ways to acknowledge their resilience and dedication during challenging times. Public recognition or even small incentives can further emphasise the importance of positive conflict management, helping to embed these behaviours into the fabric of the organisation. Encouraging Empathy Empathy plays a crucial role in conflict resolution by enabling individuals to understand and appreciate the perspectives of others. When team members actively practice empathy, they are better equipped to recognise each other's needs, concerns and emotions, which fosters a more supportive and cooperative work environment. This understanding helps to de-escalate tension and paves the way for more thoughtful and compassionate solutions to conflicts. One effective way to cultivate empathy within teams is through workplace shadowing. By allowing employees to experience each other's roles firsthand, they gain a deeper insight into the challenges and responsibilities their colleagues face daily. This not only broadens their understanding but also highlights any barriers or difficulties that may be contributing to workplace friction. Using a Mediator When conflicts become too challenging to resolve within the team, bringing in a neutral third party, like a mediator, can help steer the conversation towards a productive outcome. Mediators play an important role by guiding discussions objectively, ensuring that both parties are heard and working towards a fair resolution. This is particularly valuable in situations where personal animosities arise or in more complex scenarios like redundancies and other significant organisational changes. Their expertise helps manage sensitive issues and fosters a collaborative environment for resolution. By encouraging team activities, recognising positive conflict resolution, promoting empathy and using mediators, when necessary, organisations can build stronger, more collaborative teams. These practices help create a supportive work environment where conflicts are resolved constructively, leading to improved teamwork and productivity.

Four Ways to Encourage Positive Conflict Resolution

18th February 2025

Conflict is inevitable in any workplace, but with the right strategies in place, organisations can turn these challenges into opportunities keep reading

Overload Business Woman Delegate Tasks to Employees.

Strategic Task Delegation: Using the BALM Model

13th February 2025

Get the right people in the right places – explore how the BALM model can help you strategically assign tasks keep reading

Procrastinating lazy business woman sitting in office with his legs up on hourglass. Big sticky notes with the word later, after

Read Again: But I Don’t Want To!

10th January 2025

For Laura Williams overcoming a lifelong habit of procrastination is all about understanding the roots of resistance, so that we keep reading

Read Again: Mastering Parkinson’s Law for Better Project Planning

8th January 2025

Ever feel like your to-do list has a magical ability to multiply, leaving you wondering if you’re ever going to keep reading

Hands holding a torn photo of a couple in love

The Impact of Divorce on Work Performance: Why Support Matters

12th December 2024

Divorce can affect many areas of a person’s life, including their career. For managers, offering support to an employee going keep reading

But I Don’t Want To!

12th December 2024

For Laura Williams overcoming a lifelong habit of procrastination is all about understanding the roots of resistance, so that we keep reading