Wednesday, December 27, 2017

HANDLING EMPLOYEE CONFLICT

In this litigious age, many employers are naturally reluctant to interfere with employee conflict.  However, since employee quarrels can often entangle and polarize entire groups and lead to low morale, destruction of company culture, and productivity loss --- among other undesired collateral damage --- it is imperative that a leader take control of these types of situations at once.
Mark Twain said, “Always acknowledge a fault frankly.  This will throw those in authority off their guard and give you opportunity to commit more.”   Too bad more employees have not learned to confess when they are at fault.  There is no doubt that most conflicts would resolve themselves if this were the case, but since the opposite is true, we need to educate ourselves and implement best practices to be followed when the time calls for it.
It is literally impossible to convey all the likely reasons why conflict arises in the workplace, but below are a few of the most common.  Familiarity with the reasons behind the discord assists us in guiding others towards a resolution.
Different values- Since we all embrace a set of beliefs or principles we hold as true, when we discuss an issue with someone who has incompatible views, there is a high potential for friction and conflict.  Being emotional creatures, when faced with these types of situations, we often let our feelings guide our reactions, rather than letting our intellect help us respond in a more cognizant way.  Reactions are the words that literally spill out of one’s mouth and are often regretted; responses are the words that evolve after careful consideration and thought processing.  
Need for power and control- Conflict often pushes its way into the workplace when one or more people try to make others change their mind, vote a certain way, or do other things contrary to their beliefs.  Some people feel that they must always come out on top in order to prove their superiority, while others have a difficult time fulfilling the role of follower.  This power struggle is sometimes noticeable but quite often it works its way into the meeting room like an invisible rip current.  It eventually becomes a swift killer of morale and productivity as minds and souls quickly drown and revert to their “I-just-work-here” mode.
Employees bullying their way through work- Unfortunately, the bullies we grew up with are now in the workplace and still vying for control.  Dr Gary Namie, co-founder and president of the Workplace Bullying and Trauma Institute, conducted an online survey of 1,000 people who claimed to have been bullied at work.  He found that, of these victims, 37% were fired, and 33% quit their jobs.  In a reversal of the typical childhood bullying scenario, in which unpopular kids are picked on most, adult victims in the workplace tend to be capable and charismatic people.  The bully sees them as a threat, and strives to get them out of the picture.  Most workplace bullies are thought to be women-58% according to those Namie surveyed, and so are their targets-80% of those surveyed.  It is estimated that half the adult population will experience severe conflict at least once in their working life.  However, many managers and leaders don’t expect conflict and are not prepared to deal with it when it intrudes.
There are five basic steps an employer can take to resolve dissonance in the workplace within safe legal territory.  
Acknowledge the conflict- This seems obvious at first glance, but more often than not, the employer or HR manager may sense the tension in the office or shop, but with so many fires to put out, they usually hope that the dispute simply fizzles out.  Inaction is likely one of the worse and costlier choices.
Meet, Share and Agree- Meet with the parties involved and have them list situations in which they must work together.  Ask both parties to carefully listen to what the other says and repeat it in their own words to make sure both sides are communicating and understanding each other.  This can take time, but it defines the issue and builds the foundation for resolving it.  Legendary communicator, Dale Carnegie, said “Seek first to understand and then to be understood.”  That is the foundation of step number two.  Get agreements on the type of behaviors employees will exhibit in order to get their tasks accomplished.  Behind closed doors, let both parties agree in the process and also emphatically let them know what’s at stake: no one wants to be perceived as a trouble maker or as difficult to handle.  To some extent, expectation defines the result.  If you indicate, by your actions, content, or voice tone, that you expect less than full adult behavior, that’s what you are likely to get.  Remind them that words, even idle chitchat, have meaning and consequences. 
Create an issue resolution process- This fundamental tool for reducing wasted time spent on what is often frivolous quarreling should be incorporated into your employee handbook.  Several templates to accomplish this task are available through SHRM and other online resources.  Giving appropriate praise to employees willing to navigate this process within a positive frame of mind will divert the attention they get as either the victim or perpetrator.  At Delta Faucet, in Jackson, Tenn., it is understood that team leaders should not be involved in refereeing disagreements on the team because it takes time away from important tasks.  Instead, employees are trained in conflict management and required to follow a specific course of action when conflicts arise.  Perhaps not all companies have the time to invest in this kind of training, but having a process in place is an acceptable runner up to achieve the desired result.
Focus on behaviors, not personalities- This is a crucial tool that helps others understand that their entire person is not coming under scrutiny and that the challenge at hand is solely based on one or more particular behaviors instead.  By understanding this concept employees walk out of meetings feeling engaged instead of defeated.
Strike an open-door policy balance- Encourage accountability and growth and let employees know that open door does not mean “open dumping ground.”  But also remind them that you are available to coach them on how to work through specific situations.  This will give them a sense that they truly are your most valuable asset and will ignite a desire to self-arbitrate future challenges.   
It’s been said that conflict is inevitable and resentment is optional.  Protecting your business begins with creating a culture that understands this and values conflict management.  In addition to including conflict-resolution action steps in your employee handbook, be sure to clearly communicate that management or HR must always be notified of and involved in certain types of conflicts.  Particularly those in which there are indications of physical violence, harassment, theft, or illegal substance use.
Conflict is not always the evil it is made to be.  In fact, when teams learn to capitalize from this friction is when groups take positive action, reexamine decisions, and ground-breaking ideas are born.  A good fire is impossible without friction; it is up to you and your leadership teams to funnel this friction into a catalyst for innovation and productivity.  

Johnny Duncan, PHR, is President of Duncan Consulting, Inc., a human resource capital firm that partners with business owners to provide workforce management solutions.  Specialties include personalized training, job analysis, people-to-job matches, and conflict resolution.  He can be reached at johnny@duncanconsult.com or by calling 407-739-0718.

Sunday, July 9, 2017

Eliminating Cultural Contradiction




"I have a foundational belief that business results start with culture and your people." --- Douglas Conant

The culture of a company plays more of a role toward the success of a business than most people know. The stale, dictionary definition of culture is,"The totality of socially transmitted behavior, patterns, arts, beliefs, institutions, and other products of human work and thought." All true, which is why cultural issues is the number one reason people leave a company--not compensation and not job fulfillment.

Creating a culture that embraces the company's vision and mission as well as satisfies employee's desires for belonging ensures the success of the business. Just how to do that eludes business leaders as they attempt to apply the latest gimmick to get employees to buy into their ideas and increase job engagement.


Thankfully there is a solution: Use this simple three-step process to jump start your desired business culture. Applying these steps will help you set the foundation for creating a culture that supports your business ideas and provides an inviting and encouraging work environment. 

I. Know and communicate your Mission, Vision and Values statement.
If you haven't already formulated these, do so today. One of the best ways to do this is to form a Mission, Vision, and Values committee to gather input from your team members and brainstorm until completed. Make this a priority and try to knock it out in a couple of weeks. 

Three things to remember when designing these statements:
  1. Make sure it fits your business
  2. Keep it short and easy to remember. (Edit it and cut out unnecessary words, then edit again and make more cuts).
  3. Have majority, if not unanimous buy-in. If not, go back and start again.
II. Once your statements are complete, reinforce that culture.
The reason many businesses fail in establishing the desired culture is because they typically post their Mission Statement on the wall and then forget about it. They expect everyone to know it and follow it's principles and it is simply not that easy. 

Make it a priority to reinforce your Mission, Vision, and Values throughout the week. In your weekly meetings, show examples of how an employee's or team's work reflected the company's values. Illustrate through customer surveys how the company's vision is coming through. Encourage feedback from team members on just how the culture of the company is viewed in the eyes of the community or vendors or even the competition. 

III. Give your culture the freedom to evolve.
Tony Hsieh, former CEO of Zappos, experimented with his company culture for many years before realizing that if you hire great people, share your values, and then let them run, a lasting culture eventually evolves. All you have to do is steer the company in the right direction. Try to remember that although the company has your values as the foundation, implementing your message may take many courses. For example, you may prefer separate offices with doors that will close, while your team may agree that an open environment without walls allows them to produce a better product or service. Or you may prefer white walls with doctor office paintings but your team members bring in a stuffed zebra, balloons, music, and even their pets. The bottom line is to develop a culture that works and not necessarily get wrapped up in the journey it takes to get there.

Try this three-step process today to begin creating a company culture that breeds success. It takes time, but is well worth it in the long run.




Monday, April 17, 2017

Interview Questions That Work!, Part III





"Sometimes, thinking on your feet can be the most creative. Constrained circumstances can bring the best out of you. Some of the most successful shows come out of shoestring invention." -- Cameron Mackintosh

Thinking on Their Feet
In Part III of Interview Questions That Work!, we look at some good questions that can be used to determine if the candidate has the ability to respond to changes and last-minute disruptions. These questions are designed to hone in on the candidates who can think on their feet and make both effective and efficient decisions.

A team member who makes decisions to act, takes responsibility for their actions and the outcome of those actions, is valuable to the business. Questions in this section help the interviewer gain an understanding of how well the applicant thinks on their feet and if they are willing to make decisions or would rather be told what to do.  

1. What are the first three things you would do on the job if you were hired for this position?
The question requires the candidate to be decisive and come up with an action plan.  The answer you receive will give you an understanding into how the interviewee approaches new, possibly uncharted, situations.  If the candidate answers that she will wait to be told what to do, you may have an unmotivated, high maintenance candidate.   

2. If we hired you, what are the three most important attributes that you believe you would bring to our company?
The hope is that the candidate did their homework and knows a little about your company.  If so, they should be creative in their approach to answering this question.  One skill may be easy, and two may be a little taxing.  Asking for three attributes requires that they think quickly as well as creatively on their feet.  While the answers are important, how they get to the answers reveals even more.  It shows that they can improvise and adapt to various situations at a moment’s notice.

3. How do you make decisions?
This simple open-ended question is packed full of potential.  The candidate should elaborate on their decision-making process.  If they stumble on this one, it may be an indication that they are usually told what to do rather than think on their feet.  Perhaps they haven’t been given a chance in the past to make decisions.  If other questions lead toward a good candidate, you may be able to change their habits by empowering them to make decisions.  If you do not have the luxury of that kind of time, use their unsatisfactory answer to this questions as another red flag.

4. Do you have any questions for me?
This question has been asked over a million times by employers, but doubtfully used for determining if the candidate can think on their feet. Typically what is asked are questions about salary, start date, vacation and other benefits. What you are looking for is a quick-thinking candidate who may have also prepared a strategy for this question. Both responses are positive.

5. Describe a time when you were asked to do something you were not trained to do.  How did you handle it?
The answer to this question provides insight into how the candidate adjusts to doing something outside of her comfort zone. Asking how she handled it helps to learn about her thinking process and if she can change direction on the fly. Candidates that can adapt and ask for assistance from managers and coworkers should be considered as able to think on their feet.

Please send me any questions you may have used to find the perfect candidate.

Monday, January 2, 2017

Interview Questions That Work! Part II




"We all prospect, and don't even know we're doing it. When you start the dating process, you are actually prospecting for the person you want to marry. When you're interviewing employees, you are prospecting for someone who will best fit your needs." -- Zig Ziglar



Last time, I mentioned that screening for the right person for the job is always a challenge. You need someone not only qualified, but with a passion for the work and a desire to serve. You don't have the luxury of multiple interviews, following up with past employers, calling all character references, or reading through multi-page resumes, (they're usually not true anyway).


I gave you nine of 50 great questions for you to use in your interview process. Here are another ten that include good customer service screening questions and also some that will let you know how well the candidate can think on his/her feet.These questions will help you to decide quickly whether the candidate you are interviewing is the right fit or not. Each question has been filtered through a vast array of human resources scenarios to determine if any are "questionable" or "offensive" based on current HR laws, regulations, and interviewing rules, (e.g., discriminatory questions based on violations of ADA, Title VI, etc.), and each one has passed the test.

Customer Service
Providing excellence in customer service is so vital for the success of your company, that hiring talent that can deliver the best to your customers must be a priority. It’s been said that if you have great customer service, its assumed that you provide a great product. These questions will help you identify those candidates who not only know the importance of great customer service, but can deliver that service.


1. What have you done at your present/last company to provide a wonderful experience for your customers?
A generic question that the candidate can answer in a variety of ways. You are looking for specifics that shows the candidate took action to provide for a good experience for the customer. The best possible answers include total recall of incidents where the candidate knows that she shined and remembers comment cards from customers or kudos from supervisors.


2. Have you encountered a situation where you dealt with a really upset customer, or were even blamed for something that wasn’t your fault? How did you handle it?
Great follow-up to the first question. Every business has unsatisfied customers, whether justified or not. It is simply part of running a business. Here, you are tying to get the candidate to provide an honest account of a difficult scenario and how they handled it. The main thing you are looking for in their response is if they are focused on finding a positive solution for the customer.


3. How have you advocated for your customers when it was apparent that their issues could be prevented by improving how a product was designed (e.g., how the food was prepared, tires changed, medical device sold), how a process could be streamlined, or how communication could have been improved?
With this question, you are looking for where the candidate may put the blame for a customer service issue rather than doing what it takes to please the customer. If the candidate recalls an incident when he did all that was possible to right the situation regardless of who or what was at fault, you may have found someone who places customer service as a high priority-a trait that is required to be successful in this job.


4. Give me an example of when you went the extra mile for a customer?
Any question asked during an interview should be designed to elicit more than just a “yes” or “no.” This question prompts the candidate to retrieve a file that will give you information on how she thinks and reacts outside the normal parameters. Tony Hsieh tells the story of how one of his employees at Zappos, an online shoe store, once ordered a pizza for a customer who requested one using her personal credit card. You may not want a candidate that feels empowered in that extreme, but close to it would be nice.


5. Describe a delightful customer service experience you had when you were the customer in a restaurant. What did the server/cashier/hostess, etc., do to make it so?
You are looking for a response that indicates that they know what is meant by good customer service and what it took to deliver it for them.


Thinking on Their Feet
A team member who makes decisions to act, takes responsibility for their actions and the outcome of those actions, is valuable to the business. Questions in this section help the interviewer gain an understanding of how well the applicant thinks on their feet and if they are willing to make decisions or would rather be told what to do.


6. What are the first three things you would do on the job if you were hired for this position?
The question requires the candidate to be decisive and come up with an action plan. The answer you receive will give you an understanding into how the interviewee approaches new, possibly uncharted, situations. If the candidate answers that she will wait to be told what to do, you may have an unmotivated, high maintenance candidate.


7. If we hired you, what are the three most important attributes that you believe you would bring to our company?
The hope is that the candidate did their homework and knows a little about your company. If so, they should be creative in their approach to answering this question. One skill may be easy, and two may be a little taxing. Asking for three attributes requires that they think quickly as well as creatively on their feet. While the answers are important, how they get to the answers reveals even more. It shows that they can improvise and adapt to various situations at a moment’s notice.


8. How do you make decisions?
This simple open-ended question is packed full of potential. The candidate should elaborate on their decision-making process. If they stumble on this one, it may be an indication that they are usually told what to do rather than think on their feet. Perhaps they haven’t been given a chance in the past to make decisions. If other questions lead toward a good candidate, you may be able to change their habits by empowering them to make decisions. If you do not have the luxury of that kind of time, use their unsatisfactory answer to this questions as another red flag.


9. Do you have any questions for me?
This question has been asked over a million times by employers, but doubtfully used for determining if the candidate can think on their feet. Typically what is asked are questions about salary, start date, vacation and other benefits. What you are looking for is a quick-thinking candidate who may have also prepared a strategy for this question. Both responses are positive.


10. Describe a time when you were asked to do something you were not trained to do. How did you handle it?The answer to this question provides insight into how the candidate adjusts to doing something outside of her comfort zone. Asking how she handled it helps to learn about her thinking process and if she can change direction on the fly. Candidates that can adapt and ask for assistance from managers and coworkers should be considered as able to think on their feet.


When you get a chance, let me know of any great questions you've used before to find qualified candidates.






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